One of Ronald Reagan’s greatest moments early in his Presidency was when he made the unpopular and incredibly difficult decision to fire all of the air traffic controllers. His enemies pointed to it as the end of his Presidential career right when it was getting started. Even many of his supporters scratched their heads and cringed over the repercussions that were certain to arise from crippling our air travel network in such a way.
Reagan demonstrated in one move that values and principles must supersede the fear of repercussions. If something is right, then the way will be found to handle it properly even if it means temporary hardships. Like cutting away a cancer, the initial effect is pain and suffering but the long term effects can be extension of life and a stronger living experience.
Even before being elected, Ted Cruz demonstrated on the eve of the Nevada caucus that values and principles outweigh the political backlash that is certain to come out after firing his campaigns most visible adviser, Rick Tyler. The communications director has been responsible for many flaps that have been at least partially forgivable, including the Ben Carson dropout rumors during the Iowa caucus, because he’s attempted to do the right thing most of the time… at least that’s what we and Cruz were led to believe. After posting a lie about Marco Rubio’s perspective on the Bible, enough was enough. Cruz acted decisively even though he was well aware it would hurt his campaign on Tuesday.
Why not wait until after the caucus? Why not do it in a more subtle way like every other campaign shakeup that every candidate has had? Cruz knew that this couldn’t go on. More importantly, he knew that he needed to send a message, just as Reagan did when he fired the air traffic controllers, that his leadership will not work in the shadows, his campaign will not use dirty tactics, and his Presidency will be upfront and principled even if others refuse to play by the same rules.
This will be painted as a negative by the mainstream media and his competitors as it should be. We do our best to make good decisions about the people we surround ourselves with but everyone has experienced a betrayal of trust at some point in their lives. Cruz’s betrayal came at the hands of the man who was charged with keeping his campaign’s communications positive, transparent, and truthful. When it became clear that it wasn’t going to happen that way, Cruz acted. Short term, it will hurt his campaign. Long term, it demonstrates the type of leadership that this country so desperately needs.
The true test of a leader isn’t how they handle success, but how they handle adversity. In handling Rick Tyler the way that Reagan likely would have, Cruz has proven once again that he has what it takes to be a great President.
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