Beware of friends who say they support you

                           Doing an Eagleton

         During the 1972 Presidential election, democratic challenger George McGovern chose Missouri Senator Tom Eagleton as his running mate. They were up against a well-financed incumbent,  Richard Nixon.

           Shortly after Eagleton was named as a V.P candidate, reports surfaced that Eagleton had suffered several bouts of depression during the 1960’s. He had entered a medical facility at the time for treatment and been given electro shock therapy, then thought to be a cure for depression.

            When it surfaced, a small firestorm erupted in the press. Atitudes towards any form of mental malady were much harsher then than today. McGovern’s opponents were circulating questions as to whether or not Eagleton was qualified to have his finger on the nuclear trigger should the need arise.

            McGovern, to his credit, initially backed Eagleton, stating “I support Tom Eagleton 1,000 per cent.” The controversy simmered for several days in the press. 18 days after the issue surfaced, Eagleton was dropped from the ticket.

            From this incident a cynical statement arose afterwards, whenever someone was giving a candidate a qualified endorsement. “ I will back him. 1,000 percent.” Thereafter, whenever these words were issued, the prospective nominee for office, and everyone else,  knew that they were dead as a door nail, politically.

            I thought of this scenario during these last several days when formerly solid Joe Biden allies were asked if they supported the President in his re-election bid. Many of these prominent stalwarts said in sugar coated words, only phrased differently, “I will back him 1,000 per cent.”

             You have to wonder at the credibility of these former stalwart supporters. There are lots of similar situations in American politics. They give rise to the phrases “fair weather friends.” “sun shine patriots” and other dubious epitaphs that denote a disingenuous support, covered with soft words of assurance.

             Old line Washington hands are even more cynical about alliances and friendships. They summarize it more brutally. “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog!”

              And though I have seen this type of mercurial support many times over the years, I am still appalled by the callousness of the attitude. Friendship, loyalty and decency mean something to me. To others, I guess, not so much.

                                             -30

                                            (377 words)

                                       Joseph Xavier Martin