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Archive: Slade Gorton
A real opportunity
The state dinner is a real opportunity for the president to strengthen a vitally important relationship with India.
By Slade Gorton | November 23, 2009; 03:15 PM ET | Comments (1)
The barest compromise
A 220-215 win on the House bill shows that Democratic leaders gave no more than they absolutely had to.
By Slade Gorton | November 10, 2009; 05:51 AM ET | Comments (2)
The messy avenue of persuasion
The public sees a decisive and effective institution that more often than not attains its goals.
By Slade Gorton | November 3, 2009; 06:52 AM ET | Comments (0)
Precursor to firing
When a single individual can bring in someone "to compensate for your weakness," you're not the leader.
By Slade Gorton | October 27, 2009; 06:10 AM ET | Comments (0)
No back-seat drivers
Leadership is easier to discern Sullenberger's case, and in sports and war, than it is in politics and public policy because it is clear cut and unequivocal.
By Slade Gorton | October 20, 2009; 06:32 AM ET | Comments (0)
Unpleasant Necessity
I have always disliked presiding at meeting, but a leader must attend frequent meetings and be a fine listener in order to be successful.
By Slade Gorton | October 16, 2009; 12:08 PM ET | Comments (0)
Diplomacy's Remote Chance
Diplomacy and negotiation are appropriate as long as they promise any chance of success, but our long history with such approaches show that chance with Ahmedinejad is remote.
By Slade Gorton | October 2, 2009; 04:25 PM ET | Comments (0)
The Difficult Road
If a policy is not working and will not work, a president, like a CEO, must act decisively, explain his decision clearly and move on. Few have ever been willing to do so.
By Slade Gorton | September 22, 2009; 06:32 AM ET | Comments (1)
Shareholders First
Wall Street leaders have a duty not to the "long-term health of the economy," but to their shareholders. If they work toward that interest, the national economy is almost certain to benefit.
By Slade Gorton | September 15, 2009; 06:36 AM ET | Comments (7)
Media Giants
The media today -- instant, decentralized, immense -- has more influence than the president and congressional leadership, making decisive policy increasingly difficult.
By Slade Gorton | September 2, 2009; 06:22 AM ET | Comments (3)
No Victory on the Cheap
We learned in Iraq that we cannot fight a successful war at half speed; only with the surge did we see our way to at least a quasi-victory. And that is the only way out in Afghanistan.
By Slade Gorton | August 25, 2009; 11:02 AM ET | Comments (10)
The Non-Existent Whip
Leadership at this level is persuasiveness in selling sound policy, not cracking a non-existent whip. And all the more so with the private sector.
By Slade Gorton | August 18, 2009; 12:35 PM ET | Comments (1)
Recess for a Reason
One need not be "plugged in" while on recess to continue learning and effectively do one's job.
By Slade Gorton | August 12, 2009; 10:30 AM ET | Comments (0)
Self-Created Problems
Better to be silent and thought insensitive than to speak out and prove it.
By Slade Gorton | August 4, 2009; 10:28 AM ET | Comments (1)
Set Smaller Goals
Obama should consider that he might be wrong in pushing a major initiative. During a recession a more modest set of goals may be more appropriate,
By Slade Gorton | July 28, 2009; 10:41 AM ET | Comments (0)
Fantasies of Revenge
The one certainty about using the criminal justice system to settle political and policy disputes is that it will not "clear the air."
By Slade Gorton | July 14, 2009; 07:34 AM ET | Comments (29)
Run For Senate First
Sarah Palin most likely won't be a serious candidate for president, but she could be a candidate for the Senate--the one place from which she can be seriously considered for a presidential run two or three election cycles from now.
By Slade Gorton | July 7, 2009; 12:49 PM ET | Comments (0)
A Clinton Exception?
It's difficult, in the light of the Clinton presidency, to assert the proposition that Americans "disqualify from top leadership positions people who haven't lived by the highest moral standards."
By Slade Gorton | June 29, 2009; 02:21 PM ET | Comments (5)
Objective Interpretation
It's fine for elected officials to use their personal histories in campaigns. However, prospective justices should not boast about their pasts-their job is to interpret the law and the Constitution objectively.
By Slade Gorton | June 9, 2009; 05:52 PM ET | Comments (0)
A Risky Investment
The administration is like the gambler who doubles his bet after every unsuccessful roll of the dice. It has so much invested in GM now that it can't be anything other than the principal shareholder.
By Slade Gorton | June 2, 2009; 11:25 AM ET | Comments (0)
When "Short-Termism" Makes Sense
Boards should start off new administrations with the express understanding that the CEO's term is limited, and exceptions should be rare.
By Slade Gorton | May 27, 2009; 10:50 AM ET | Comments (0)
One-Year Moratorium
Cheney is not the first ex-president or ex-vice president to be a vocal critic, but it might be wise for such ex-leaders to wait a year after leaving office before going public with their views.
By Slade Gorton | May 12, 2009; 04:27 PM ET | Comments (10)
Brass Tacks
The Times, with its own problems taking precedence, can't be forced to continue to pay for a bad bargain.
By Slade Gorton | May 5, 2009; 03:28 PM ET | Comments (0)
ROTC at Public Colleges
And will Tom Ricks then require that all colleges and universities that accept federal funds also accept ROTC units, as requested, by each of the three services?
By Slade Gorton | April 21, 2009; 04:04 PM ET | Comments (0)
Paper Tiger Obama?
Obama's reaction to the North Korean missile test will indicate his direction of foreign policy, and whether or not he is regarded as a paper tiger.
By Slade Gorton | April 6, 2009; 06:36 PM ET | Comments (4)
Now It's Obama's Responsibility
While it is reasonable for GM's de facto board of directors -- the U.S. government -- to fire Wagoner, the Obama administration will now be responsible if Wagoner's successor fails.
By Slade Gorton | March 31, 2009; 03:28 PM ET | Comments (0)
Stop the Demogoguery
While President Obama has been almost as irresponsible as the loudest voices in Congress, it's not too late for him to show the leadership for which he was elected and become part of the solution rather than of the problem.
By Slade Gorton | March 22, 2009; 09:25 PM ET | Comments (1)
Give Back
College coaches who make more than full professors at their schools should think about giving up some of their salary to support struggling sports programs or sports scholarships.
By Slade Gorton | March 16, 2009; 01:50 PM ET | Comments (0)
Shareholder Control
The cure for Wall Street is far greater shareholder rights and controls over total executive compensation.
By Slade Gorton | February 2, 2009; 03:25 PM ET | Comments (2)
Spectacular Success and Failure
He got some things right -- the initial Afghanistan and Iraq campaigns, his own reelection, and the Iraq surge -- but others disastrously wrong.
By Slade Gorton | January 5, 2009; 10:59 AM ET | Comments (9)
Disclosure -- Or Legal Advice
If you have nothing to hide, disclose everything right away. If you do, find a good lawyer.
By Slade Gorton | December 16, 2008; 08:37 PM ET | Comments (0)
Reach Out to Rivals
They could have asked foreign competitors with U.S. assembly plants to support their plea on the ground that a vital domestic industry strengthens everyone.
By Slade Gorton | December 8, 2008; 11:04 AM ET | Comments (1)
