Why Choosing Your Enemies Wisely Is Crucial in Politics

Politics is as much about strategy as it is about ideas. Whether you’re running for office, advocating for a cause, or steering public policy, the opponents you pick — and how you engage them — can make or break your efforts. This lesson is captured succinctly in The Laws of the Public Policy Process: “Choose your enemies as carefully as you choose your friends.”

Enemies Matter: Not All Opposition Is Created Equal

In everyday conversations, “enemy” might sound dramatic. But in politics, an enemy isn’t just someone you disagree with — it’s someone whose opposition can cost you credibility, resources, public support, or momentum. Picking the wrong enemies can lead to unnecessary division, wasted time, and diminished influence. Conversely, choosing the right ones can sharpen your message and unify your base.

This is similar to military strategy — commanders don’t engage every hostile force they encounter. They prioritize the most consequential threats to preserve strength for vital battles. In politics, battles over peripheral issues or against minor critics can drain energy that should be spent on core objectives.

Avoid Making Enemies of Friends

One key principle tied to choosing enemies wisely is the warning: “You cannot make friends of your enemies by making enemies of your friends.” This highlights a subtle, often overlooked pitfall: in the heat of political conflict, it’s easy to lash out at allies who are less enthusiastic or slower to act. But scorning them in pursuit of short-term victories can erode the trust and coalition support you depend on.

Politics is coalition building. Today’s reluctant supporter might become tomorrow’s crucial partner. Alienating your allies can weaken your long-term effectiveness.

Strategic Conflict: When and Where to Fight

Not all opposition should be confronted head-on. Avoiding unnecessary enemies means being selective about when to challenge and when to compromise. Smart politicians ask:

Is this opponent central to my core goals? Does challenging them advance the cause or simply create backlash? Does the potential gain outweigh the political cost?

Choosing enemies wisely also means understanding context. Some conflicts are worth engaging publicly; others are better handled through negotiation behind the scenes. A wise leader understands that restraint can be a tool, not a sign of weakness.

Impact on Public Perception and Support

Every public conflict sends a message to voters, donors, and partners. When a political strategist targets an enemy with precision — whether a policy foe or an obstructive interest group — it signals confidence, clarity, and competence.

On the other hand, indiscriminate attacks can blur your message and make you appear reactive, unfocused, or hostile. This can turn undecided observers into critics and weaken your standing in the public eye.

Building a Strong Political Base

Choosing enemies wisely strengthens your base, and helps you keep a secure home base, another principle highlighted in The Laws. By focusing your opposition on actors who genuinely threaten your agenda, you reinforce unity among supporters and clarify what you stand for rather than what you oppose. This strategic clarity attracts followers and amplifies your influence.

In Summary

In politics, as in life, conflict is unavoidable — but that doesn’t mean it must be mismanaged. The Leadership Institute’s guidance reminds us that:

✅ Your enemies affect your credibility, alliances, and success.

✅ Not all opposition deserves equal attention.

✅ Alienating allies can be more damaging than appeasing opponents.

Choosing your enemies wisely isn’t about avoidance; it’s about strategic focus. When you identify the right battles, you respect your resources, clarify your mission, and protect the relationships that matter. That’s how political leaders gain traction, build lasting movements, and achieve real change. 

Laws I like today:

3. Don’t get mad except on purpose.

9. Political technology determines political success.

15. Don’t treat good guys like you treat bad guys.

16. A well-run movement takes care of its own.

17. Hire at least as many to the right of you as to the left of you.

18. You can’t save the world if you can’t pay the rent.

24. Actions have consequences.

34. You cannot make friends of your enemies by making enemies of your friends.

41. In moments of crisis, the initiative passes to those who are best prepared.

42. Politics is of the heart as well as of the mind. Many people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

35. Choose your enemies as carefully as you choose your friends.

36. Keep a secure home base.