Heart, Mind and Trust

I have a history of throwing my vote away in presidential elections. I like to stick to my origional candidate, even if they don't win their primary. "Go Gary Anderson!!" So during the first few presidential elections I was able to participate in, I exercised my free will and voted for the best candidate! Wether or not they stuck with their party.

This changed after moving to Washington D.C.. A few years in the beltway is a sobering electoral and democratic experience. Getting the Washington Post thrown on your driveway each morning is both joyess and depressing; depending on the day and which section of the paper you are reading. I really miss that paper, though. Great paper.

And this uber-journalistic paper provided a great day-to-day view of our federal government in action; providing equal parts insight, awe, and disgust.

So, after preparing myself to be inspired by a better understanding of our two party system, I found myself, instead, dissillussioned by it. An unrealistic idealist such as myself had always wanted to beieve the best candidate is the best person running for office. The most honest, credible, and moral candidate. "Atticus Finch for President!!" But what did I learn? Hey, I lived in D.C. during the Clinton administration. What do YOU think I learned?

Well, after begrudgingly admitting the two party system really does create a unifying plurality that is better than other systems (see "France" and the jokes about 5 guys in a phone booth - new party - blah blah blah), I turned my learning insight to a newfound respect for the structure of our three branches of government. The system that minimizes the damage any one Bush president can inflict on the planet. (Oops! Did that thought come out of my mouth?)

It is the manipulation of this system that often makes a great president. And it tends to get done in one of two ways - but rarely in both. One way is to be charasmatic enough to sway public opinion with such inertia toward your goals that the public itself pressures all three branches to enact change. (In recent history - see "Reagan" and "Clinton". Bill, that is. Swimming pools. Movie stars.) Obama has the potential to be this guy.

The other way is by working the system from the inside. Knowing the players - having the credibility and experience to get what is needed from the inside. Hillary and McCain both could be effective presidents from this perspective.

Finally, though, there is a factor that is more ellusive; and that generally becomes apparent only in retrospect. I'll call it the "Right Guy At The Right Time" factor. (See Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt - either one - JFK, and Gerald Ford - maybe even Bill Clinton - to site just a few.)

So with this splintered frame work, let's look at the race today - Hillary, Obama and McCain. Not at the issues - that's too easy and there are already web sites for matching your concerns with the right candidates. (Who, by the way, have mostly dropped out of the race by now) But with the factors people actually tend to take into account when they vote for a Presidential candidate. Emotional, personality-type, looks, photographic images - you know - People magazine factors.

Hillary - Hillary has the potential to be the most effective of the three candidates from the inside. Knows how to work the system. Cold, calculating bitc@ that I think will go after many issues I believe need to be gone after, and will kick as# and take names along the way. I just hope my name is never on her list. The "ewe" factor may not be something she can overcome, however, and I don't think she has the ability to win over the hearts and trust of the American people. Allthough, interestingly, she would probably be more popular across the rest of the globe. (Allthough I can't remember why I have that impression. Probably read it in people magazine.) I believe she can capture the "minds" of americans - yes. Intillectually, she seems a good choice. Heart and trust, no. Being female has no negative connotation associated with any of the things I've pointed out - in fact, we're so far overdue on the female and minority fronts that there is a guilt vote to be had by either democratic candidate.

Supposition - Hillary could be an effective president; unlikely to be popular, and the candidate I would least like to meet in a dark alley if they are pissed at me.

Obama - Obama is the guy that could win the hearts of americans, and maybe the world. And then again, so was Jimmy Carter. And Obama seems very smart and very moral. And then again, so was Jimmy Carter. We have heard other potential comparisons, however, to give much more hope. Chiefly among them, Reagan and JFK. Heady stuff! There is both a heartfelt following and the potential of the "Right Guy At The Right Time". But Obama's candidacy also seems a little fuzzy and unsure. Which kind of makes it all the more exciting!!

Supposition - bigger risk than Hillary - with potential for bigger reward - or bigger loss. Feels a little like gambling. And the guy I least want to have around me in a dark alley, because I'd have to stick up for him and I'd probably get my as@ kicked defending him. But my friend, non-the-less.

McCain - "Hutt hutt!!" Since I live in Arizona, I have a pretty good impression of this guy, and I trust him. I trust him right now; and I don't wonder so much if I will still trust him next year. The problem is I don't always agree with him. But of the three candidates, I trust him to cross party lines to do the "right" things when push comes to shove. And given our current international presence and state of war, there is a strong feeling of the "Right Guy At The Right Time". He's not that polished and get's caught in it at times, (economics is not his strong suit??) but that sort of reminds me of someone else who was the "Right Guy At The Right Time" who I admired greatly - Gerald Ford. Hardly some big, dynamic presidency - but a guy that knew how to prioritize.

Supposition - McCain doesn't always have the same priorities I do, but maybe has the best potential to improve and stabalize our country and the globe - and global politics are quickly becoming a priority - though you can't tell that from our current presidents' priorities. The rest of this planet HATES us right now. And, McCain is the guy I most want in a dark alley, by my side.

Conclussion - unlike past presidential elections of my life, I don't feel we can lose. They all are actually good candidates. It is quite refreshing. To summarize this blog's observations:

Hillary -Mind
Obama - Heart
McCain - Trust