Greg Abbott and the curious redefinition of heroism
This fall the blue wave is coming, so they say, and even in Texas Senator Ted Cruz is embattled in a close election with challenger Beto O’Rourke. But the top of the ticket in Texas isn’t in doubt. The GOP has had control of Texas for over twenty years and the current governor Greg Abbott is cruising to another re-election.
While there is nothing wrong with Abbott per se, and the Texas economy is buoyant upon a burgeoning oil industry and business friendly tax climate I do have some concerns about the messaging of his campaign. I’m his recent campaign commercial he touts the fact that a freak accident left him paralyzed and that “Greg Abbott knows that it doesn’t matter what obstacles come your way, but rather how you react to it” This is fine boilerplate material for a campaign that is front-running in a solid economy, but it belies a deeper concern. But, what is a hero?
In posterity a hero defeated enemies or threats, marauding pirates or the occasional cyclops. Let’s consider Andrew Jackson. Jackson lost much of his family to redcoats in the revolutionary war and personally conscripted 2000 volunteers to fight the Brits in the War of 1812. Further he and his volunteer army “liberated” Florida from the Spanish Empire allowing the US to easily acquire it. He then became the first Governor of the Florida territory. He had survived and won several duels and survived the first assassination attempt on an American presidency by attacking his assailant with his cane.
Men like Andrew Jackson were essential for the formation of America. Many of the generals on both sides of the Civil War (Grant, Sherman, Lee) began their military careers in the Mexican-American war and physically and valiantly led many men into battle. Ulysses S Grant won the Presidency largely on his success as a General. In World War II the modern battlefield changed and Eisenhower was able to lead the European theater from London, or colloquially, the rear of the squad. Still, Eisenhower’s strategy garnered him universal appeal, because he was a VICTOR that conquered the continent of Europe. His presidency was warmly received and broadly considered a success.
In the transition from Ike to Kennedy we see a subtle shift in the messaging of heroism. In the Pacific Theater Kennedy captained a PT boat that was rammed by a destroyer. He and his crew climbed on the wooden hull and clung to life for hours before swimming to a deserted island. Over the course of about a week Kennedy was able to get his entire crew rescued. This was honorable and heroic. But contrast this to Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., who left his Senate seat to fight in the European theater and single-handedly captured 4 Germans on patrol.
Trump: I like people who weren’t captured
Kennedy ushered in the Victim-as-Hero motif that the GOP embraced at the end of the 20th century to little effect. George HW Bush when in a tough race drudged up his story of his plane being shot down. While his effort was commendable, ultimately people chose the draft-dodger, the guy smart enough to evade military conscription. In 1996 the GOP double down and wheeled out Bob Dole who had been pinned down and shot by Germans in Italy. He liked to point out he could only use his left hand as his right hand was so injured. In 2000 and 2008 John McCain wore as a badge of honor the fact that he was shot down and captured and tortured by the Vietnamese. McCain seemed so proud of the fact that he couldn’t raise his arms above his head.
None of these men were derelict in their duty and their sacrifice for America should be honored, but even in contrast to Kennedy very little was said about the victories or accomplishments. It’s as if their injuries and suffering were some kind of penance for being white male republicans. The American populace always voted against these men in the highest office. Like Trump, they too seemed to like people who weren’t captured, or avoided combat altogether.
Which leads us back to Abbott. As the political class chooses from the financial elite and segregates from the warrior class, the Victim-as-Hero status can either be bestowed upon some lucky minority or, in the case of Abbott, someone disabled by sheer bad luck. Neitzsche famously complained about raising the status of victims to saints over a hundred years ago, but the GOP’s attempt to raise the status of victims to hero has thus far fell short on the bigger tickets.
This shouldn’t be read as an indictment on Abbott, rather it is an indictment on ourselves. In the absence of a draft, or any true military victories, what will define what we seek in our political leaders? Will it be driven by what modern samizdat activist Bronze Age Pervert calls: “…a vulgar desire for power displayed by secretaries, service workers”? Think Kamala Harris or Valerie Jarrett here. Will it be who can serve or defend the most lawsuits? If so, this redefinition, or maybe a de-evolution, of heroism is a bad harbinger for leadership in America.