Only extraordinary persons need apply

Each us must shoulder at least some portion of the blame for our election morass. As we go through the same exercise every four years, we citizens insist that candidates take this position on abortion, that one on school prayer, another on guns, and don’t forget gay marriage, the flag and pledge of allegiance. These are important issues, to be sure, but why should they serve as the primary litmus test for our nation’s top executive?

Why can’t we 300 million citizens acknowledge that we will not agree with whomever is elected on every issue and select the best person we can find, support him with our vote and require nothing more of him than to lead us to the best of his ability, bringing to each decision his best judgment.

Why must we insist that they think like us, drink like us, or believe like us?

In those frequently heard “man on the street” television interviews, people say, “I want someone I’d feel comfortable taking to the ball game” or, “I want someone who will sit down and have a beer with me.” “An ordinary person,” they may add, “An affable guy, hail fellow, well met, you know.”

Frankly, I want a leader who doesn’t care to have a beer with me, would never go fishing with me, can’t tell a joke, and sometimes misses church on Sunday. I want someone who has made mistakes in his life, and asked and received forgiveness. In short, I want an extraordinary person with exceptional skills, not an ordinary man or woman at all, a person of enormous personal integrity as well as ability, a person who admits to mistakes in his life and refuses to repeat them.

That someone is someone capable of earning my trust. And trust is all that is required to be successful in public service.

The times demand such a person. So should the people. Isn’t it time for us to admit the problems of our times are defiantly complex and simply electing someone who agrees with us on the emotional issues of the day will not suffice to address our nation’s serious problems?

This year, we have seen plenty of evidence that “the people” are ready to take back the selection process. Record numbers have turned out for the primaries. Record numbers have shown up for rallies. 38 million people watched on TV as Obama addressed a live audience of 84,000 in Denver. At the moment, it appears the people are being drawn to Obama as the "best person" to lead this nation forward.

Something wonderful is moving through America. It feels like a republic seeking to regain its footing on the world stage. Dare we believe that the citizens will elect this fall a candidate who possesses the personal integrity, raw intellect, life experiences and judgment necessary to meet the challenges of the highest office in the land?