Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News – September 20, 2006

 

COMMENTARY

 

Making a Team of Rivals

Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

 

          Many important issues were discussed at the annual meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCLS) that I attended recently in Nashville, Tennessee, but no aspect of the conference received higher acclaim than did a plenary session at which historian Doris Kearns Goodwin spoke about her book, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln (Simon and Schuster, 2005). While billed as a speech, her presentation was more of a conversation with the several thousand state legislators who were in attendance. After her introduction, the slender woman with a very pleasant face leaned forward over the podium and held the audience’s attention with her wit, details, and stories for more than an hour with no notes or teleprompters.

          Although Doris Kearns Goodwin never evangelized about her topic, it was obvious that the stories she told had considerable relevance to today. At a time when one attempt at higher office is the most any candidate can expect to receive, the Lincoln story reminds us that he was a prairie lawyer who served one term as a Congressman and who had lost two races for the U.S. Senate. After winning the Republican presidential nomination in 1860 in a four-way race, Lincoln went on to campaign eloquently and honestly opposing slavery from a moral view. Contrast his approach with the demagoguery of today when so many political races revolve around immigration, gays, and flag burning.

          The central point of Goodwin’s book and her conversation at NCSL was the astonishing yet brilliant and clever move by Lincoln to include his three rivals for the presidential nomination in his cabinet. All three considered themselves better born and better educated than the man that bested them. He named Salmon P. Chase to be Secretary of the Treasury even though Chase let everyone know the reasons he felt superior to Lincoln. William H. Seward as a celebrated senator was mortified when he lost the nomination for the presidency, but he accepted Lincoln’s offer to become Secretary of State and eventually became one of Lincoln’s closest advisors. Edward Bates became Attorney General even though many thought that the distinguished elder statesman would become president. Certainly Lincoln’s approach of recognizing talent within your rivals and putting that talent to work for the good of the country is seldom seen today, and the nation loses by the fact. Lincoln had suffered humiliation in a law case with Edwin M. Stanton, but Lincoln was able to overcome any personal vendetta or bitterness to name Stanton Secretary of War as the best person for the job.

          Doris Kearns Goodwin is a marvelous story teller in person and in her books. But the point of her story, the genius of Lincoln to have the confidence to put his rivals to work for the good of the country, should not be missed today. I believe that others yearn as I do for such intelligent, confidant, and strong moral leadership for our country.

 

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Have You Registered to Vote?

 

Last day to register is Tuesday, October 10

to be able to vote in the November 7 General Election.

 

Go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb for information about voter registration.

 

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Delegate Ken Plum’s Weekly “Virginia Report”

 on Reston Comcast Channel 28

 

Tonight - Wednesday, September 20 at 10:30 p.m. – Bob Chase, Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance – “Building Public Support for Public Transportation”

 

Tuesday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, September 27 at 10:30 p.m. –  Dennis Morrison, Virginia Department of Transportation – “The Six Year Plan for Roads in Fairfax County”

 

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Congratulations to Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connelly on receiving the 2006 Local Distinguished Service Award from the American Public Transportation Association. The award will be presented during a special ceremony at APTA’s annual meeting in October in San Jose, California. APTA’s awards program recognizes excellence in the public transportation industry.

 

The State Fair of Virginia will be held in Richmond September 28-October 8, 1006, at the Richmond Raceway Complex. More information, visit www.statefairva.org.

 

Transition to retirement with fun and purpose! Beginning September 28 and running for eight Thursdays through November 16, Fairfax County will host its award-winning Neighborhood College program, with a focus on how to transition from work to retirement with fun and purpose.  Classes will be held at the Herndon Senior Center, 873 Grace Street, Herndon, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Classes are free, but space is limited; light meals will be provided. Registration deadline is September 21. For more information or to obtain registration forms, call 703.787.4962, TTY 703.803.7914.

 

Attend the “Regional Leadership Conference on Green Building – Best Practices and Policies for Local Government and the Region” on Friday, September 29, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the University of Maryland Conference Center in Adelphi, MD. Call 202.962.3355 for more information or go to www.mwcog.org for a detailed program description and registration form. Click on the Green earth icon on the left side of the COG homepage to reach the conference registration page.

 

Tall Oaks at Reston is hosting a 5K Run/1.5 Mile Walk and Community Extravaganza with all proceeds benefiting the American Diabetes Association. Along with the 5K around Reston’s scenic trails, community members are also welcome to enjoy a live New Orleans style jazz band, food, exhibits, and a silent auction. This exciting event will be held on Saturday, September 30, 8:30 a.m. at the Tall Oaks at Reston Community parking lot. Contact Daria Moore at Tall Oaks at dmoore@talloaksatreston.com or call 703.834.9800 for information on sponsorship, participation, or volunteering.

 

The Virginia Conservation Network will present the 2006 Virginia Environmental Assembly, “Cooling the Commonwealth: Better Communities Today, a Better Climate Tomorrow,” on September 30, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School in Falls Church. A daytime walking tour of Arlington and an evening reception will be held on September 29. For schedule and registration information, visit vcn@vcna.org. 

 

The University of Virginia Breast Care Program and the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation are proud to present “Beyond Breast Cancer: Moving On…Moving Forward” on September 30 at the Doubletree Hotel in Charlottesville. Registration begins at 9:15 with the final plenary session ending at 2:30. This conference is for individuals diagnosed with breast cancer, their families and friends, and healthcare providers. Visit www.vbcf.org for information and registration forms.

 

The Time to Fly Foundation will hold its 5th Annual Fall Fest Gala, “A Place of Refreshing & Rest!” on Saturday, September 30, 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. at 1330 N. Pickett Street, Alexandria. Attire is semi-formal fall colors. The event is for all desiring to strengthen the family unit and to work against domestic abuse. For more details visit www.timetofly.org/fallfest2006.htm.

 

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society invites you to join dozens of local businesses and hundreds of influential Northern Virginians in the fight against blood cancers. Participate in the Light the Night Walk in the Reston Town Center on Saturday, October 7, and help make a difference. Visit www.lightthenight.org/nca for more information.

 

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Authorized and paid for by Kenneth R. Plum.

 

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