Over the weekend I caught a little bit of a discussion talking about the Democratic Presidential Candidates, and I agreed with what they were saying. I don't know who was talking (I was listening on XM Radio) but I agreed because they were saying that Americans don't want politicians anymore, we want real people running for office.
No more smiles, shaking hands, and kissing babies. But really listening, having conversations, and not being afraid to speak the truth. That's the sort of leadership that has been missing in our debate. They were saying that John Edwards, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton are great democrats, and great politicians. But that's it, they are politicians.
The truth is, I like them all. Not just the top tier candidates, I like all the candidates they all add something incredibly valuable to the debate for our future. I do think, however that we are missing 2 important voices in this debate. General Wesley Clark, for his extensive view on military and foreign policy issues (something that is sorely missing in this debate) and Vice President Al Gore for his long time goal to make the Climate Crisis a leading issue in American (and global) politics.
Our bottom tier candidates do the best job of not being politicians, they may be a Congressman, a Senator (or former) but try not to spin a question, when asked a question they answer it. What was being discussed on the radio program that I listen to is that our leading candidates in the Democratic Primary right now are afraid to speak out strongly. They are afraid to tell the truth, to call a spade a spade.
I myself would be satisfied with any of them as our next President, but what do I really want? I want someone who's going to tell the truth, someone who isn't going to bullshit me. I want a leader who is going to stand up for everyone, and not be afraid about the consequences. That's why I liked Howard Dean and Wesley Clark in 2004. That's why in 2008, I wish and hope Wesley Clark and Al Gore run again respectively.
Both Clark, Gore, Dean, and Feingold have so much appeal because they aren't afraid to speak out. They aren't afraid to tell the truth. They aren't afraid to take the hits. That's what I want in a President, that what I want in our leadership. I want my Congressman, Senator, and President to fear nothing. I am tired of the fear, the bullshit, the pandering, the lies. I want the truth.
If Gore or Clark never get in this race, which will be a huge disappointment to many of us I have to choose. But I can't choose, not yet these candidates great as they may be haven't shown me that they can be real. They act and want to appear to be indestructible.
I don't want Superman (or Superwoman) to be my President, I just want a person an honest person who will wake up everyday trying to make this a better place for every single person in this country. I want a President who takes care of America first, but never neglects our neighbors around the world. I want a President who brings peace to the middle east, a President who brings us universal healthcare.
I want a President who ends genocide in Darfur, and poverty and AIDS in Africa. I want a President who stands up to those on the far left and the far right and bring us sensible tough immigration reform. I want a President who is going to make America strong again. Not just strength in bullets and bombs but in character and in overall security.
I don't know who this President is, but it's the President we need in this country. It's the President who is going to change the world.
I guess I'll wait to see who it is.