I think your parent analogy is apt. It's basically impossible to be politically successful and accept blame. Politics is an "us" game. Even in the most leader-

I think your parent analogy is apt. It's basically impossible to be politically successful and accept blame. Politics is an "us" game. Even in the most leader-oriented set ups, the leader is an avatar for the group. If something is bad, it can either because "we" did something wrong or because we were deceived, manipulated and exploited. By blaming others we absolve us.