Archer Crosley’s Rules of Politics

1.  Never fight a battle that you can’t win. Actually this is Ronald Reagan‘s first rule of politics.
2. Never throw your friends under the bus.  When the media and the Democrats went after Ed Meese, Ronald Reagan held his ground and put his big arm around Meese as if to say, “You take him down, you take me down.”
3. Never promise something you can’t deliver.  You can only promise that you’ll try to do something.  But you still have to try.  GHWB hurt himself by saying, “Read my lips, no new taxes.”
4. Never be afraid to honestly engage an antagonistic media.  An easy, relaxed and open demeanor is an effective tool in disarming the opposition.  JFK instinctively understood this. 
5. Never be afraid to admit your weaknesses or the weaknesses of your state or your country.  JFK had no problem admitting back in the early 1960s that we were behind the Russians in the space race.  So, if the day comes and you are ever behind in a political race, don’t try to pretend that you aren’t when you are. It’s far better to just admit the truth and say, “Yes, we are behind and we have to try to find a way to make up ground. I’m open for suggestions.”  You’ll be surprised how many people come forward to help you.
6. Don’t create enemies and try never to burn a bridge.  There’s no point in name calling.  You are going to need these people down the line.
7. Prepare for the long game.  What is your ultimate goal? Where do you want to be when it’s all said and done?  That goal is going to influence how you are going to position yourself early on.
8. Abraham Lincoln was, still is and always will be  the spiritual father of the Republican Party (Democratic Party too).  Every question and issue that a Republican or a Democrat faces must be filtered through the prism of Abraham Lincoln.   Leaders must ask themselves:  What would Lincoln do? What would Lincoln say?
9. Treat everyone with respect especially the little people on your staff.  Nothing will demean your position more than screaming, yelling and insulting people.
10. The chief in the various Indian tribes in America was the poorest man in the tribe. He was so because he gave the shirt off his back to his braves so that they could fight the good fight.  In other words don’t hog all the glory.

Sincerely,

Archer Crosley

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