- George Santos is, despite controversy, still a sitting member of Congress.
- Jeff Smith, a former Missouri state senator, receives calls from panicked politicians seeking advice on navigating scandal.
- Smith’s advice tends to lean toward the practical, such as staying out of jail and fixing one’s marriage.
- Smith advises those facing scandal to consider factors such as public opinion polls and viability in the next election.
- If Santos came to him today, Smith would advise him to recognize that he cannot effectively represent his constituents in his current state.
- Smith stresses the importance of taking responsibility for mistakes and managing expectations of those who may have had one’s back.
- Smith believes Trump has changed the rules of the resignation calculus, with some people surviving things that would have been career-ending in past years.
- Smith believes Santos is motivated primarily by a lust for stardom and prominence, rather than any core beliefs.
Published February 20, 2023
Visit The Atlantic to read Caroline Mimbs Nyce’s original post A Resigned Politician’s Advice for George Santos
