Photo by Gage Skidmore
No matter how you slice it, it is 2015—which is NOT A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEAR!
I don’t care who is ahead in the polls. It is NOT A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEAR!
I’m not interested in the Fox channel debates because it is NOT A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEAR!
I take democracy seriously, but political theater has nothing to do with the democratic process. It’s essentially one more way for the media to huckster products and advise us to “Ask your doctor if [name of drug here] is right for you.”
Oh, and by the way, the skills needed to be a politician running for office and the skills need to successfully execute that office have nothing to do with one another.
sfnowak 
Steve, with great respect to you, my long-time dear friend, I couldn’t disagree with you more about watching, listening and being avidly interested and engaged in the Republican debates on Fox News. This is our country we’re talking about…and possibly our next president.
Instead of being bystanders and spectators, we have a duty as American citizens to expect certain leadership qualities from the candidates who want our important vote. After all, for the last 7 years we’ve experienced no real leadership in Obama–except division of the races, between the police and those who don’t respect home much less society, takers vs. the givers, the world vs. America, liberal America-haters in education at all levels especially among our young vs. the historic rigors of progress of Americans, and perhaps even Islam vs. Christianity in America and around the world. You’re absolutely right, Steve, we don’t need another politician like this. So who or what would be the opposite of this?
First, for many people, deciding which candidate to vote into office is simply a matter of party affiliation. It should not be. America needs a statesman irrespective of what party he or she is from. We must cast our votes based on specific characteristics we look for in our candidate of choice. So what are the qualities or characteristics of a great leader?
Honesty…a character quality that builds credibility and trust, which is the foundation to evoke confidence and respect from fellow decision-makers and constituents.
Compassion… the humane quality of understanding the problems of man–the suffering of others–and wanting to do something to alleviate that suffering. Great leaders use compassion to determine the course of action that would be of greatest benefit to all those involved.
Integrity…the adherence to moral and ethical principles; the soundness of moral character. Great leaders must have the trust of all followers and this requires the highest standard of integrity.
Confidence…is about having faith or belief that he or she will act in a right, proper, or effective way. Leaders who possess this quality inspire others, drawing on a level of trust which sparks the motivation to get others on board and get the job done.
Statesmanship…respect different views, analyze issues and problems, and identify the best mutual solutions–not based on loyalty to a political party, but what is good and right, and in the best interest of the nation and all citizens as a whole. Great leaders look at the GOAL of government, not government per se. And while government may have dominion over the country, it is not to have “domination” over the states or citizens. Great leaders as statesmen see their role and the aim of other political appointees as servants of the people, not as rulers. In a statesman we will consistently hear and see how their professed values, ideals, convictions, standards, beliefs—and behavior—match up. We can notice an integrity-of-congruence: Thoughts, words and action match. This over time, personally and professionally, is a great accomplishment. A statesman is authentic to be him- or herself in a world that is constantly trying to make them something else.
This, Steve, is why I will watching the debates on Fox News. And I hope YOU and others will be too. America has been blessed by God, and I am grateful to God for His blessings on our country. This blessing and our continued gratefulness is why I believe America is exceptional.
Rick,
Talk is cheap, and what people are talking about today will be OBE (overcome by events) over the next year–and that includes the prospective, possible, potential, maybe candidates. Politicians who were true heroes were so committed that they were willing to die for what they believed: Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Lincoln.
Is [fill in the 2015 politician’s name here] that committed to something that far out? Personally, I suspect that they aren’t capable of being committed to the pizza they ordered twenty minutes ago, until it actually arrives.
I’ll watch, wait, and listen. However, anyone who promises delivery in eighteen and a half months (Inauguration in January 2017) is a bit suspect.
Having said all that, I agree that the overall design and goal of democracy is a beautiful thing.
Su amigo con Jesus,
Esteban