Chris Christie's Mea and Wea Culpa Strategy
In an era defined by finger-pointing and the blame game, the tendency to refuse accountability has become almost second nature to many. When it comes to politics, the battlefield is rife with accusations, with figures often more eager to shift blame than take responsibility. Chris Christie, former governor of New Jersey, is no stranger to this. His support and defense of Donald Trump during and after the 2016 election have been a significant talking point. However, it's time for Christie, like so many others, to embrace a strategy of "Mea and Wea Culpa."
As a psychiatrist for more than 45 years, I often speak of the transformative power of unflinchingly owning our mistakes. Drawing inspiration from an empathetic approach, If I were Chris Christie, I'd pivot from blame to accountability. Not for political expedience, but to present a roadmap for an America that's yearning for unity.
When addressing audiences, Christie might consider the following five-step approach:
Admitting Human Fallibility: Ask the audience, "Raise your hand if you have never been wrong about anything." We anticipate a sea of lowered hands, with Christie's own hand remaining down. It's a gentle reminder that the human experience is riddled with misjudgments. No one is exempt.
Acknowledging the Gravity of Miscalculation: Next, pose the question, "Raise your hand if you can think of a time when as right as you thought you were, is as wrong as you turned out to be." Christie's hand should go up, leading the way. In our unwavering certainty and hubris, we've all taken paths that led to surprising revelations about our own biases.
The Difficulty of Admission: "Raise your hand if you have had trouble admitting to others that as right as you thought you were, is as wrong as you turned out to be." With Christie raising his hand, it prompts a collective realization: admitting our errors, especially in a public sphere, is daunting. But that shouldn't deter us.
The Trump Quandary: "Raise your hand if you believe the time has come for many of us to admit that as right as we thought we were about Donald Trump, is as wrong as we turned out to be. But that is human, okay as long as we can own up to it, learn from it and move on." This is the crux. For many, supporting Trump was a reflection of discontent with the status quo. But with the benefit of hindsight, it's evident that perceptions and realities can differ. Christie, among others, must highlight the strength in acceptance and the subsequent growth.
Regaining Global Respect: Lastly, "Raise your hand if you believe that the trust, confidence, and respect from the rest of the world would likely improve if we as a nation admit our being wrong." America's global standing has been a topic of debate, especially during the Trump years. While nations evolve and their perceptions shift, admitting fallibility can be a powerful step towards healing and re-establishing broken ties. Rather than losing standing in the eyes of the world, it’s likely they’ll respect us more for demonstrating the courage to own up to this, when so few other countries would.
For Chris Christie, the journey from staunch Trump supporter to someone reflecting on that support's implications can serve as a template for many. The "Mea and Wea Culpa" strategy isn't about self-flagellation. It's about understanding, introspection, and the strength inherent in vulnerability.
In a nation starkly divided, the path forward isn't in laying blame but in acknowledging our shared human experience, complete with its imperfections. Christie's public admissions could set the tone for conversations around dining tables, in town halls, and even in Congress.
For America to heal, the narrative must shift from "them vs. us" to "we." Christie has the potential to catalyze this shift. The question remains, will he choose to?