Never mind the noise and static
Posted on Sunday, October 12, 2008
As the 2008 presidential campaign enters its final weeks and as the verbal exchanges reach fever pitch, the voting public should heed the advice of John McCain at the Republican convention: "Don't be diverted by the noise and static. "Of course, he was referring to hecklers who tried to interrupt the convention, but his advice could just as well apply to the campaign in general.
So much needless noise and static from both sides are not contributing to a civilized outcome. In a rare objective analysis of the campaign, Doris Kearns Goodwin, noted presidential historian, urges voters - particularly the undecided - to look rationally at the candidacies of McCain and Barack Obama in these troubled times.
In a recent article in Parade Magazine, Goodwin recalls the formidable challenges faced by Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt: the Civil War and Reconstruction in Lincoln's case and the Great Depression and World War II in the Roosevelt era. She believes the leadership qualities exemplified by these two men constitute a good model for a successful presidency to this day. They include the following • The courage to stay strong, defined as the ability to withstand adversity • Self-confidence: The ability of the candidate to surround himself with people of different opinions and perspectives who need not fear retaliation if they disagree • An ability to admit mistakes and learn from them • A willingness to adapt to a changing political or economic environment • Emotional intelligence: The capacity to transmit strength to others • Self control: The ability to manage one's emotions • A popular touch: An intuitive awareness of public sentiment • A moral compass: The courage and integrity to follow one's own convictions • The capacity to relax: Taking time to step back temporarily from pressures of the office; and • A gift for inspiring others: The ability to communicate national goals to the people and to shape public opinion.
These attributes, Goodwin believes, may help voters examine each of the candidates more closely, particularly if voters are still undecided. So forget about the noise and static about such nonsense as lipstick on a pig, who wears a flag on his lapel and who doesn't, who associated with which scoundrel years ago, what could have been done to avert this economic crisis if only someone would have just listened - and so on.
In addition to Goodwin's points, voters should consider which candidate is more inclined to do the following • Improve and monitor the economy • Extend, limit or wage wars around the world • Raise or lower your taxes and with what consequences • Improve the health-care system, and at what cost and consequence • Restore America's standing in the international community; and • Nominate Supreme Court justices who will make the proper decisions relating to "the right to choose"or the "right to life " - whichever slogan you find more appropriate.
Try to focus on the big picture. Regardless of the outcome, history will be made - either through the election of the first African-American as president or the first woman as vice president. Try looking at all the candidates' strengths instead of their perceived weaknesses. Whoever is elected is likely to rise to the occasion, like Lincoln, FDR and others before and since. Sadly, there are exceptions, but perhaps we have learned from the damage they did. Only if voters make these intellectual judgments and disregard the noise of this campaign will the election results help restore stability in this country.
• • • Bill Miller is a former metropolitan editor for the Kansas City Star. He lives in Bella Vista.
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