The rustle and tussle of the election season has been heavy on personal hits and negative campaigning pitting "friend against friend." While this isn't a new campaign strategy, social media has played a new role in elections and in the mudslinging game. Unfortunately, now, it is too easy to throw out unsupported extravagations, partial truths or, I dare say, even made-up history or facts. From the traditional blame game to self-proclaimed crowning of themselves as the most conservative candidate, the words have flown from every hopeful's camp.But, as we all know, actions speak louder than words.
This untold story about former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich is simple, encouraging, old-fashioned and rare in today's new political world.
Two years ago, I received an early Saturday morning wake-up call from Speaker Gingrich's staff after they got word about my political-science students' leadership and work to help change Minnesota law concerning child abuse in the classroom (especially in special education). My students led the successful legislative charge for the Kyle Herman Bill of 2010, which ensured that Minnesota parents would have immediate notification of classroom abuse.
That Saturday morning, Gingrich's staff members were asking informed questions about the bill, but also offering congratulations. For the next six months, they would periodically check on the students' work and for updates.
However, my students were floored when they received a call to personally meet one-on-one with Gingrich about their bill while he was briefly in Minnesota.
Dressed to impress, my star-struck students, escorted by their university president, gathered in a Minneapolis hotel's small conference room. Within a matter of minutes, Gingrich walked into the room. I still remember their faces and nervous reactions. The speaker took time to introduce himself and shook each of the five students' hands, then asked us to pull up chairs around him.
We gathered into a tiny semicircle. The speaker sat within an arm's reach of my students. He asked, listened, encouraged and challenged them on political and policy issues. After a 30-minute conversation, and unknown to us, our then-Gov. Tim Pawlenty and his wife appeared in the room. The speaker didn't instantly stop the discussion or wrap up our meeting. He continued with his concern and encouragement of the students' efforts. He had questions, suggestions and a genuine appreciation for their work.
No campaign donations needed. No name-dropping. No friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend required. No television cameras. No photographs. No Ivy League college.
