EDITORIAL: Manchin, Goodwin, and Garrison: Intentionally Tone Deaf
Politicians are born gamblers and cast their fates to the wind with an ease
other more timid--or sensible--spirits might never be able to muster. This comes
from their massive self-confidence, their egos, which have convinced them that,
without them, the world would just never be the same.
But like a gambler on a hot streak, sometimes politicians simply do not know when to stop. As a result, they risk losing it all.
Governor Joe Manchin, WVU President Mike Garrison, and WVU Board of Governors Chair Steve Goodwin are on the verge of losing it all. Their behavior following the revelations of the investigatory panel that looked into the faux MBA WVU awarded to Heather Manchin Bresch, the Governor's daughter, has been quite revealing. No penitence. No shame. No real responsibility taken. In another state, where one party didn't totally dominate politics, here is what these three men might have done to save face.
As Governor--and sad father--Joe Manchin might have made a sorrowful statement of general support for his daughter and a tone of remorse towards the university, not a brazen, in-your-face endorsement of her strange way of obtaining a degree. He wouldn't blame the university for the aspects of this conundrum that were uniquely his daughter's responsibility--that's for sure.
Moreover, the Governor would not lecture outraged students, parents, alumni, and state residents about how they need to "calm down." He would know better, since it is his family that started this whole mess in the first place. He would listen to the public and their concern for their university, not tell them that they should support a university President currently in the crossfire. In short, he would lay low, after a few appropriate remarks.
And in another state, the President of the state's largest university,
with alumni from coast to coast, would never have let this decision
to award an MBA on such flimsy grounds get past his office. He would
have never have authorized such an act, an insult to all graduates,
students, and faculty. It would have never crossed his mind to bump
this matter up to a Presidential priority, handing the matter to his
top aides to handle--for him.
And if he were so obtuse as to go along with such a transparent scheme, then he would have the grace to exit when found out.
What then of the one who is supposed to have the least political of these three positions, the Chair of the university's Board of Governors? Steve Goodwin, in another state, would do what is right for the university, not just for himself and his hand-picked President. Goodwin would regretfully tell Garrison that, because of his participation in ratcheting up this MBA situation to the level of a Presidential priority, he would have to take real responsibility by resigning his office for the good of the university he was sworn to serve.
This is what would happen in a state with more balanced politics, where one family or two didn't reign supreme. Students, parents, faculty, donors, and alumni could expect swift justice for any and all who defamed their alma mater, jeopardizing the value of every diploma coming out of the university..
When will West Virginia be this state?