George Gemelas: Today I’ll break a trend: Openly thanking a politician

Today, I’m going to do something quite against the grain and actually praise a politician.

I cannot imagine what it’s like to be one in today’s political climate. The wrath, the fury, the huge pressures from the party apparatus and the base, and the social media amplification that makes it 10 times more intense—all of it makes for what seems a wholly unappealing job.

And yet, some leaders persist. While many elected officials seem to stay for the attention, the theater, the glory and even gifts, some stay because they truly have public service—that is, serving the people—at their core.

In politics, there’s much more incentive to criticize than to praise. And while no elected official deserves our blind support—God gave us noggins for a reason—once in a while, it’s important to tip our hats to those who are putting in the work and doing a good job. After all, if the true service-minded ones never hear a thank you, why would anyone decent want the job? Unfortunately, most capable people I know wouldn’t dare touch elected office with a 10-foot pole.

That’s why, today, I’d like to take a few moments to commend U.S. Sen. Todd Young.

First, make no mistake: I do not see eye-to-eye with him on every choice he’s made, every policy position he’s taken or every issue he prioritizes. I do not claim to know him particularly well, either. However, one can get a pretty good sense of a man by hearing him at public events, seeing enough of his statements, and shaking his hand at a number of constituent meetings.

In his legislating, Young zeroes in on highly strategic, often-overlooked topics: onshoring microchips production with the CHIPS Act, ramping up domestic shipbuilding with his new SHIPS Act, securing critical minerals, and rapidly scaling American power in biotech (Have you seen China revive an extinct wolf species?). At the same time, he has shown care about issues of fairness, for instance, working to cut legacy admissions in universities, which flies in the face of American meritocracy.

In his political style, he avoids cheap shots and political stunts. Though this doesn’t give him a large following on Fox News, it does allow him to work readily both within his caucus and across partisan divides, especially since legislation requires 60 Senate votes to pass. And it’s clear, while certainly not perfectly, he works to be an independent voice without squandering political capital needlessly.

On an individual level, Young is thoughtful, attentive and committed. Attend any of his regular constituent meetings, his “Hoosier Huddles,” and you’ll notice he listens intently—head cocked, engaged and sincerely focused on what constituents have to say. He knows how to level with you, too.

My feeling of gratitude for Young’s leadership arose at a recent event hosted by the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation on the national debt, featuring the senator alongside former Gov. Mitch Daniels. He hit on the tough, often-neglected realities surrounding our national debt with depth and seriousness, rather than platitudes or political theater. He offered the kind of clarity and honesty that’s sorely missing from many political discussions.

At a moment when cynicism and theatrics threaten to repel all thoughtful governance, Young’s example reminds us how good people can operate within public service. We need more high-caliber leaders to step forward amid today’s political landscape. Let’s start by appreciating those already doing the hard work.

Thanks, senator—keep leading the way.•

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Gemelas is chief operating officer at Climate Solutions Fund, outstanding fellow of Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation and a proud Greek-American. Send comments to [email protected].

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