Our Views: Studying art of the grovel
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Successful politics means more than occasionally having to say you’re sorry. It also means admitting specific fault, and doing so directly and publicly.
Or so scholar Susan Wise Bauer concludes in her latest book, “The Art of the Public Grovel : Sexual Sin and Public Confession in America.”
For her newest work, now heading to bookstores, Bauer researched the sexual misdeeds of prominent American public figures and how successful they were in offering contrition. Not surprisingly, her research drew on Louisiana, home of two case studies for her theme: the Rev. Jimmy Swaggart, and U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-La.
Bauer gives Swaggart high marks for the way he handled his 1988 confession after being linked with a prostitute, but a failing grade for what she deems his more evasive response to a similar scandal three years later.
The author suggests that Vitter’s political survival thus far is a tribute to the way he handled reports that he patronized an escort service.
“Vitter’s statement openly confessed his wrongdoing, calling it sin and taking responsibility,” Bauer writes. “Vitter wasted no time in evasion.”
Critics of Vitter who found his statements on the matter lacking in specifics might have a conclusion different from Bauer’s.
But Bauer does make a useful distinction between an apology and a confession that those in public life would be wise to remember.
“Apology and confession are not the same,” she tells readers. “An apology is an expression of regret: I am sorry. A confession is an admission of fault: I am sorry because I did wrong. I sinned.
“In the last few years, adds Bauer, “public figures have apologized with increasing frequency. But these apologies often serve as red herrings, drawing the eye and ear away from the missing confession.”
Bauer also examines the public groveling skills of fallen evangelist Jim Bakker, former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter and Cardinal Bernard Law.
“Apologies can be made with ease, but confessions are painful,” Bauer observes.
That’s worth keeping in mind for all of those who are in positions of public influence, and those who aspire to be.
Or so scholar Susan Wise Bauer concludes in her latest book, “The Art of the Public Grovel : Sexual Sin and Public Confession in America.”
For her newest work, now heading to bookstores, Bauer researched the sexual misdeeds of prominent American public figures and how successful they were in offering contrition. Not surprisingly, her research drew on Louisiana, home of two case studies for her theme: the Rev. Jimmy Swaggart, and U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-La.
Bauer gives Swaggart high marks for the way he handled his 1988 confession after being linked with a prostitute, but a failing grade for what she deems his more evasive response to a similar scandal three years later.
The author suggests that Vitter’s political survival thus far is a tribute to the way he handled reports that he patronized an escort service.
“Vitter’s statement openly confessed his wrongdoing, calling it sin and taking responsibility,” Bauer writes. “Vitter wasted no time in evasion.”
Critics of Vitter who found his statements on the matter lacking in specifics might have a conclusion different from Bauer’s.
But Bauer does make a useful distinction between an apology and a confession that those in public life would be wise to remember.
“Apology and confession are not the same,” she tells readers. “An apology is an expression of regret: I am sorry. A confession is an admission of fault: I am sorry because I did wrong. I sinned.
“In the last few years, adds Bauer, “public figures have apologized with increasing frequency. But these apologies often serve as red herrings, drawing the eye and ear away from the missing confession.”
Bauer also examines the public groveling skills of fallen evangelist Jim Bakker, former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter and Cardinal Bernard Law.
“Apologies can be made with ease, but confessions are painful,” Bauer observes.
That’s worth keeping in mind for all of those who are in positions of public influence, and those who aspire to be.
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