Do It with Numbers

It doesn't matter what your political ambition is. It could be winning an election. It could be defeating a bond. It might be TEXIT. It could be vacating the chair. Whatever your ambition in politics might be, you need numbers.

I appreciate those who highlight an issue. They draw attention to something we might not have otherwise noticed, and it's certainly true that Brian Harrison has drawn plenty of attention to the failings of this session of the legislature.

Some argue that he does it to draw attention to himself. Perhaps he does - I don't know. I haven't asked him or talked to him about it.

There's an episode of Penn & Teller's Fool Us where they discuss "misdirection." You can take a few minutes and watch it if you like.

Harrison is the gorilla with the cymbals. While the House is trying to do whatever the Speaker wants it to do and you are going about your life doing what you do, Harrison dances about to draw attention to the fact that the House is not doing what Republicans asked.

Is he doing it the right way? It depends.

If his mission is to draw attention to the lack of urgency the House seems to have, then he's doing a fine job of that.

If his mission is to vacate the chair, then he didn't come close to attracting the numbers he needed to succeed.

When the leadership doesn't share the agenda of the people, a representative has two choices: 1) cause chaos and highlight it all, or 2) work with everyone as much as possible to achieve what good might come.

It's hard for a single representative to do both. Those are two different roles. While a person could do both with ample humor applied, Harrison has evidently chosen door number 1.

I said that whatever you do in politics requires numbers. Sometimes, those numbers are outside the circle you're in. Harrison's numbers are in the disgusted grassroots and in our independent media, such as Chris Salcedo. In the legislature, he doesn't seem to have many partners.

Whatever we do, we must try to be as attractive as we can be. There is no "polite" in politics. It's a place of sharp elbows and insults, which is why humor is important. You can get further along insulting and elbowing people if you do it with humor.

But whatever your aim, you'll need numbers.

2 Comments

PJ Jackson (Apr 10, 2025 10:39 AM):

I don’t know Rep Harrison’s end goal but I do know this: When only two stood against the arrogant, lethargic, slow-walking House, it awakened already-disgusted grassroots. He ignited a badly needed fire. Mission accomplished! And, I wish him his personal best.

Randy Reeves (Apr 10, 2025 11:28 AM):

Thank goodness for opinions. The ole saying " they're like armpits. We all have them and they stink."
To me, the manner in which you get your message across matters little as long as its remembered. (Thats a spicy meat a ball, commercial comes to mind) Harrison is shedding light on what's happening. That's paramount. His "true reason" for doing so is between him and Jesus. If he does seek another office or higher level of job, I don't care. So long as his motives for doing so are noble and trustworthy. Those who oppose him, like HD6 rep. Alders, say they refuse to get involved in a show that doesn't represent their district. To which I say, wrong! Actions taken, so far, by the Democrat elected speaker, proves why ALL our Republican reps. should be shouting louder than Brian Harrison. What's taken place is flat out wrong. Him saying it repeatedly is spot on correct, regardless of technique.