March 27, 2007

"Leader of the Free World:  Super Human or Average Joe/Jane"

Washington, DC (PoliticalJones.com) - The recent announcement by Democratic Presidential Candidate and former Senator John Edwards that his wife, Elizabeth Edwards' cancer has returned, caused uproar both in the race and in our country over the meaning of family and career. What does this development truly mean to the 2008 Presidential election?

Family and career choices are personal issues for every family, but when you are running for President of the United States these choices are scrutinized and dissected by the whole country. A declaration of intent to lead the free world requires that you put everything on the line and open up your entire life to everyone. Although plainly, it is Senator Edwards' personal choice to keep running, we all will be looking very closely to see how Senator Edwards, the man, deals with this form of adversity.

We also will be looking to see whether Senator Edwards can manage a national campaign, while dealing with the kitchen table issues at home that we struggle with everyday.  If he can, this will be a shining example of juggling varied demands at home and at the office. On the other hand, if he cannot, which we will see played out in real time by traditional and web-based media outlets, this story promises to re-shape the debate on just what it takes to hold the highest office in the land, thus making the 2008 Presidential Election even more compelling than it already promises to be.

Not surprisingly, some argue that it is wrong to judge Senator Edwards and his family's decision not to pull out of or suspend the campaign. I disagree. Senator Edwards and the other candidates are "interviewing" for CEO of the United States.  As such, it is everyone's right to question the commitment, motives, and policies of each candidate seeking the Presidency.  Their private battle with the C-word only highlights the personal toil that everyone running for this office must face.

Folks truly empathize with Senator Edwards and his family at this critical juncture. However, if Senator Edwards decides to drop out at anytime before the Democratic Convention, his fellow candidates will be lined up to give their condolences and obtain his endorsement. The "new found friends" will also try to obtain the endorsements of those who previously endorsed him, co-opt his fundraising list, and hire his key campaign staffers who they believe could help their efforts to reach the mountain top.

Lest we forget, the road to become the "Leader of the Free World" is a long, thankless and brutal journey.  In the end, there are really only two questions for Senator Edwards and the other Presidential candidates to answer before Election Day 2008: (1) Can they lead our entire Nation in a time of war; and (2) Do they have the capacity to "hear" the American People and the courage to make adjustments, in spite of personal motivations, for the good of all?  The successful answer to these questions likely means the nomination, or at the very least, a place on the national ticket. Those too proud to answer these questions in the affirmative will be doomed before the Primary Season.

Bottom line:  We need to believe that the person we elect to this high office is a real person who can relate to the issues of the average American. The next "Leader of the Free World" will hold the future of our entire planet in his or her hands. Now, more than ever, the choice is clear:  Either lead with a sense of courage and accountability, or close the blinds and get out of the way.