August 26, 2016 5:36 PM

Smith: What Happened to "Best"?

QR’s Liberal Columnist Glenn W. Smith argues that while politics used to be seen as bringing out the best and the worst in us, there’s less “best” to be seen these days.

During years of reporting on and then working in political campaigns, I used to share with many the view that politics brings out the best and the worst in those involved. Now I wonder, what has happened to “the best?”

After each session of The Legislature, Texas Monthly still publishes “Best and Worst Legislators.” You have to admire their writers’ perseverance.

Medieval church scholars used to ask how many angels could be in the same place. If we ask that about the Texas Capitol we can quit with noting that there’s room for a lot more than there are.

There have been – and there are – angelic spirits in and around the Capitol. In fact, it was the passing of one such spirit, Nelda Laney, the kind and gracious wife of former House Speaker Pete Laney, that set me to wondering again about this. She – and the former Speaker as well – are among the all-time Best.

Don’t get me wrong.

The full column by Glenn W. Smith is in the R&D Department.

By Glenn W. Smith