Press Article: The Flawed Logic of "Taking Flak" in Politics
In the realm of Idaho politics, a peculiar adage has emerged: “When you’re taking flak, you’re over the target.” This saying, often wielded by those facing scrutiny, suggests that criticism equates to success in political endeavors. Recent events, however, illustrate how misleading this belief can be.
Rep. Jaron Crane, R-Nampa, celebrated swift legal action from the ACLU against his House Bill 83, aimed at establishing a state-level immigration enforcement system. He interpreted the lawsuit as validation of his stance, proclaiming he was "over the target." Yet, this week, U.S. District Court Judge Amanda Brailsford issued a temporary restraining order against the law, highlighting potential constitutional violations—far from a victory for Crane.
The notion that criticism signifies a successful stance often backfires. For instance, Doug Traubel, a former far-right sheriff candidate, famously invoked this logic amid antisemitic allegations, only to lose the Republican primary by nearly 20 points. Similarly, Rep. Joe Alfieri leaned on the adage when defending a controversial school voucher system, which experts suggest could threaten Idaho’s public education quality.
Even high-profile figures like Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and former President Donald Trump have used this fallacy to dismiss negative press. Hegseth’s claim of being "over the target" amid negative media coverage, and Trump’s economic decisions resulting in budgetary turmoil, reveal a disconnect between rhetoric and reality.
The phrase “taking flak” often masks deeper issues—like poor policy decisions and constitutional oversights—that could lead politicians to crash instead of soar. If lawmakers truly want to govern effectively, they should reevaluate their approaches rather than bask in the misguided affirmation of criticism. As Bryan Clark from the Idaho Statesman aptly concludes, acknowledging mistakes is the first step toward improvement.
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