It Isn’t Easy Being Green

Finding My Political Balance for the Next Two Years

Kermit the Frog says, “It isn’t easy being green.”

I have long shared that sentiment.

Following the election, I made a private resolution that I would somehow manage the next two years of American politics without becoming crude, rude, and unattractive. I would remain interested, involved, and opinionated, but I would not allow political disappointment to turn me into someone I wouldn’t particularly enjoy having lunch with.

It seemed a perfectly reasonable ambition.

Then came my first test.

The immediate effort to impeach Pete Hegseth was not a promising beginning, nor was my reaction a particularly successful demonstration of staying cool.

I was outraged.

Those who follow my writing know of my lifelong fascination with American politics and the people who step forward with conviction, energy, and a sense of purpose.

In younger years, Howard Baker and John Tower captured my imagination. They represented a generation of Republican leadership that drew me into political life. I have found something of that same excitement in Marco Rubio, J.D. Vance, and Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth particularly interests me. A Princeton graduate, an Army National Guard officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, a recipient of two Bronze Stars, an author, and a television commentator before becoming Secretary of Defense, he brings an unusual background to the position.

His emphasis on military readiness, high standards, and restoring the fighting strength of America’s armed forces has earned my admiration. I appreciate his determination, his directness, and his willingness to challenge established ways of doing things.

I want to see him succeed.

When the House voted to send the impeachment resolution to committee, effectively stopping the immediate effort, I was enormously relieved. Hegseth would continue his work.

But somewhere in the middle of my indignation, another question emerged.

If this was my first test of surviving the next two years without becoming angry, how was I ever going to manage the rest of them?

After all, this is only the beginning.

I have spent a lifetime loving American politics. I have watched leaders emerge, admired their gifts, followed their careers, and sometimes witnessed their disappointments. Surely, after all these years, I ought to have developed a little perspective.

What I must learn is how to hold on to my convictions without allowing every political confrontation to become a personal battle.

I can remain informed without living in a permanent state of agitation. I can disagree vigorously without allowing anger to take possession of my days.

I suspect this will require considerable practice.

Perhaps even a little more swearing, preferably in private.

The sunlight has not disappeared. The crystals are still there. I may have to move them around a bit, find a different window, and occasionally remind myself why I started looking for them in the first place.

I am still righting my ship.

I have not finished loving American politics. And I have no intention of letting politics finish me.

— Stepheny Houghtlin