Danielle Savarino
Acct 861 – Leadership Exercise – Darrell Issa
Due: November 7, 2011

Darrell Issa is not only a member of the US House of Representatives, but is also the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Mr. Issa has an extensive business background that includes a military career. Although “on paper” Issa seems to be a successful individual, it seems his past is plagued with speculation and some factual information outlining contrary views. From the news and opinion articles on Darrell Issa, it seems he is an individual that thrives on control and power. Physically he is an intimidating man and I believe he uses this to his advantage. Issa also seems to play on his “charm” to influence others. This could be viewed as strengths of his, however I think Issa has used and abused this attribute. There is not a positive feeling felt after researching Issa and I find that troubling. I do believe it is true that many times not everyone can be “liked” by everyone else, yet there is much negatively and confusion surrounding Issa that is very hard to ignore. Issa does possess the ability to get people to “like” him, however those people seem to be the closest to him, advisors, individuals with “good” businesses terms with him and individuals who have benefited from Issa’s actions and decisions. Mr. Issa thrives on being an intimidating person. When making business decisions and accomplishing goals, I feel Issa begins with taking a stand (that is most beneficial to him) on the issue, intimidating others around him to view it is same way or make the same decision, all the while keeping up with the perception that this is for the overall, common good. In the article from the New York Times, there were several instances outlined where Issa, “through earmarks”, was allowed to approve roadwork projects close to commercial property he owns which appreciated the properties some 60 percent. While is it debatable if there were conflicts of interest with some of these projects, the public and local leaders were kept pleased and that seems to be the only thing that matters. To many people, respect could include one’s outward attitude but it could also be viewed as one’s actions and decisions that affect outsiders. Mr. Issa seems to have continuously lied or avoided subjects concerning his past. He has exaggerated the truth on a few occasions and when found to have been doing so, avoids the issue. What I find to be especially alarming is how effortlessly Issa lies about his past and even questions the questions that are brought up because of it. He deflects the accusations as false or attempts to shift the perspective on said issues. What I pondered was can one person really be blamed for so many things that are all untrue? Isn’t there blame somewhere? It is evident from multiple instances that Issa is in business for himself. Many of his decisions as a congressman have not had a “direct conflict of interest, but it creates an appearance that he is trying to influence a policy on issues where he has an investment.”[1] In order to accomplish such feats, Issa has transferred many of his controlling interest in businesses to a family trust. This allows him to influence others on issues while seeming to be unbiased towards them. One situation was the proposal to merge satellite radio companies Sirius and XM. Issa is on the board of directors for DEI who is partnered with Sirius and the family trust holds half-million shares in the firm. On the outside it appears Issa is “fighting” for the right causes, but there are questions to what truly motivates him and what his “goals” really are. Is he trying to make for a better “America”? Or is he swayed by what could SEEM to make a situation better, all the while monetarily benefiting him. I do not think it is clear considering other decisions of his can be tied to businesses he is involved in or was involved in. The honesty, or lack thereof, from Issa is something that I cannot understand. No one is perfect, however as I said before, how can so much negatively and blame be centered on one person? Even if there are quiet a few skeletons in Issa’s closet and perhaps he has been at the wrong place at the wrong time, owning up to one’s past and taking responsibility is extremely important when you are a public person working for the United States Government or anywhere else. One article stated Issa was “tired of defending himself from these old stories”[2] and I find this to be almost humorous. I agree, Issa probably feels like a broken record, however he chose to run for office for this position and had to have known these issues would come up and keep coming up. It comes with the “job” and Issa should have realized this. Now, I do feel if Issa properly addressed many of these issues in the past, owned up and took responsibility the public would not feel the need for the facts to be validated by him. Many are past the point of believing Issa as facts come out later contradicting his statements. I do not see how he is open about his past and I believe he deflects as much as he can about it. Some past events are almost startling to read about. Issa also tries to blame others for the mistakes he has made, namely his brother. It is quite convenient his brother served some jail time, as this puts a better mark on Darrell being the more “innocent” one. I also cannot comprehend the warehouse fire. It is like taking an insurance policy out on your spouse, and then they mysteriously die a few weeks to a month later. Nothing he says on this match up to statements from others who were involved Some leaders have the ability to cloud the public’s judgment by making them think the decision that was made was the “right” one. Those same types of leaders also realize how to utilize manipulation to their advantage. I believe that Darrell Issa is one of those types of leaders. He realizes the intimidation power he has, while also being able to juggle being suave, charming, and “average”. Issa’s past successful business endeavors, which has included car alarms such as Viper, have allowed his unfavorable past to be weighed against each other. Can such a successful man be that bad? I believe the answer is yes. Transferring blame, dodging questions, and giving answers that are fuzzy at best are not the foundation values and actions for a “great” leader or any leader. Darrell Issa projects an illusion that he is there for his constituents, to bring the truth out, and to serve them as best he can. I’m not sure I “buy” into that and I’m not sure I believe his decisions are unbiased. I think Issa values himself and what the public thinks of him, however I also feel he thinks if he pleases them with decisions (often benefiting him as well) they will get “off his back” on unfavorable topics circling him. I also feel that if the decision facing Issa somehow includes an interest of his, he will sway the opinion to go his way regardless of how it will affect the public in the end. Somehow, his constituents end up feeling like they have benefited. All in all I do not have a favorable position on Darrell Issa and the type of leader he is. My opinion on leaders is that they should be individuals with respect for everyone including themselves, honest with the public about the past, present, and even future with themselves and goals, can take responsibility if the time comes, and can be trusted. These seemingly simple attributes of a person do not seem evident within Issa. From this point on, my view on him as a leader has drastically changed and I do not think a leader with a questionable past and conflicted interests can be completely trusted to do what is best.
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[1] Lichtblau, Eric, A Businessman in Congress Helps His District and Himself, (New York: Times) page 5
[2] Lizza, Ryan, Don’t Look Back, (The New Yorker) page 10