Projection – a defense mechanism that involves taking our own unacceptable qualities or feelings and ascribing them to other people.
From the beginning, we’ve watched President Trump be a master of projection. He accuses other people of lying (“fake news”) when he is the King of Lies. He accuses others of cheating, to distract from his own lifetime of cheating. And he accuses others of rigging elections, even as he actively tries to steal the 2020 election.
But now, we’ve got Kentucky Republicans practicing their own projection. How? By accusing Governor Beshear of making the pandemic political – when THEY are the ones who have done exactly that!
Just a few examples:
- They held a committee meeting where they asked all the questions and made all the comments, only letting one Democratic member ask one question.
- They held a press conference attacking the governor’s school recommendations, with only Republican legislators in attendance.
- They called Dr. Steven Stack a liar to his face, in a committee meeting.
- And today, they called Governor Beshear a liar in a press conference.
Look, Repubs, I get it. You can’t stand having a Democratic governor with a higher approval rating than your Republican president – and higher than any of you. You resent the fact that the governor gets to address the citizens of the state every evening, and that people actually tune in to watch. And, you are upset that Beshear doesn’t check with you before he takes action.
But to say that HE is “making things political” when you have taken the actions you have? I’d say you’ve passed Trumpian Projection 101 with flying colors.
It’s not a good look, Repubs – it makes you look small, and petty, and petulant. And, it indirectly harms Kentuckians, because the doubt you cast on the governor’s actions causes some people to do risky things that make themselves or others sick.
So, how about setting aside the Projection Game, and instead try the Leadership Game. Encourage people to wear their masks. Tell people to take the virus seriously. And if you’ve got a problem with the governor, figure out a way to work it out in private. That’s what leaders do, in all sorts of organizations. You can, too – if you want to be leaders.
Or, you can keep projecting. It’s up to you.
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