The Politics of Brown-Nosing

In the world of politics, the all too familiar presence of 'brown-nosers' often leave the rest of us wondering if is just 'bad mind wi bad mind'. I've had my fair dose of these characters in my years, and I am quick to point out that these brown-nosers are cut from a different cloth. I have drawn the conclusion that these characters are not bad people, they are just very focused individuals, they know what they want, and are prepared to to whatever it takes to get it. At once, these guys appear to be well-mannered, seemingly intelligent and they talk a good game. They claim to know how the leader's mind works, and some even go as far as embracing the leader's values, however non-progressive they may be. I've never been able to put my hand on what make these guys tick, but I'll tell you this, they do a a damn good job of making it appear that they stand for something. Inevitably, we the common folk always have the last laugh, even if it is behind their backs, because you see, career brown-nosers don't last long, they usually have no independence of thought and can't be counted on to think and lead through a crisis.


The PNP Leadership race is a case-study in the making. We see that Mama P has appointed all of 11 spokespersons. Most of these surrogates are rising stars in the PNP. All of them educated, with bright futures ahead of them. I think they all understand that in order to cement a place in a future administration, however long away that is, they must plant their roots very early and very carefully. While all of them may not agree with the way Mama P 'run tings' they understand that this woman has a remarkable ability to get people to follow her. After all, she still remains the most popular political figure since Micheal Manley. So how does a young, progressive socialist with his eye on a place in history make his mark? He Brown-Noses. This new generation of politicians understand very well how important it is to stake your claim, you can't go in on the fence or appear to be wishy-washy, you won't stand a chance. For those 11 surrogates, some more seasoned than others, having Mama P re-elected will determine their future in the PNP. Brown-Nosing in this instance therefore, is not a choice, it's a survival tactic, and only time will tell if any of these guys emerge from the mud with their brains in tact.

As for Peter Philips , I'm still at a loss to why this guy is running. He is an intelligent, erudite statesman with all the credentials to make a formidable opponent, but he lacks that people touch, that special something that Mama P has mastered That is why all the young heavyweights of the party are brown-nosing up to Portia. This new generation of Brown Nosers have an uncanny sixth sense; they know a champion when they smell one.