6 Comments

I love the idea, especially for extremely local governing bodies like school boards, in which everyone is more committed to overall mission than to their own individual ambition. I'm afraid it wouldn't work at the level of national politics, though -- those people are far too committed to their own _power_ to genuinely collaborate with their political opponents. To transcend those incentives would require a generosity of soul not seen since George Washington stepped down from power. I keep hoping . . . but I'm not holding my breath.

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Interesting concept, Jefferson. Should I have a challenger this spring for the presidency of my local "teachers" union, and I win re-election, I will consider having a Runner-Up Retreat. The two challengers who ran against me two years ago both quit the school district, so a Runner-Up Retreat might have been difficult, albeit not impossible. We already have a "team of rivals" on my Executive Board with an At-Large Board member having endorsed one of my challengers from last election. It does make for good, thorough debates involving perspectives that represent the varied interests of our 1000+ union members. Thanks for writing your article.

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I love your ideas but the possibility of it ever working seems like pie in the sky. I think that we have reached a critical tipping point in this country. I do not know how it started-but it did not start with Trump. It had started long before he came in-he may have ramped things up but for years the left had been calling the right racists and stupid-think President George H. W. Bush, for which he never defended himself. NEVER! It really is terrible and this election cycle is the worst ever!!!! I am very afraid for this country.

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What arguments should she have been making to secure the win?

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I love this. I'm so tired of feeling like I have to be on guard ALL THE TIME. Win or Lose. If you lose, you're constantly worried about what policies are being implemented. If you win, you're gearing up because you know the other side is going to throw anything and everything in to mess up your time. I hope it wasn't always like this. It's exhausting.

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Love this, Jefferson!!! Good job!!

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