American Republic Online

[Editor’s note: The following is a commentary by the newest member of ARO, Ereke. Enjoy.]

Political campaigning, especially on the presidential level, seems to be more about themes these days, than anything else.  What I mean is that, while a line-by-line evaluation of the issues and considering where each candidate stands in relation to them, may still have it’s place in our electoral process, what seems to be mattering more to people, is the theme or slogan that resonates with them most.  As the time drew closer for the Iowa Caucus to actually begin, the candidates started vehemently scrambling, not to make any of the individual issues more plain or pronounced, but instead to leave one last emotional impression on the hearts of the people, so that at the moment of decision, what they would feel about a particular candidate would naturally weigh just as much or more than what they thought about his or her philosophical views in regards to the difficult task of running the country.

Usually, I am very much opposed to this kind of politicking, believing it to be more like what used car salesmen do to get an uninformed buyer to purchase the most expensive, and sometimes least reliable vehicle on the lot.  However, after monitoring the circus (I say that in the most respectful use of the word) which we call the Iowa Caucuses, my heart began to soften a bit to the idea that perhaps even in politics, the emotional impression one leaves will inevitably matter more than what one has to say, or even what one has previously done.  And perhaps that’s just the way things will be.  It seems everything they taught me in my training in the financial sales industry was true, even in politics. 

 

Yet, it all still leaves somewhat of a bitter and unpleasant aftertaste in my mouth, kind of like a Sam Adams beer, no matter which flavor I choose.  I was equally impressed with the charisma and charm of Barak Obama, as were the 38% of caucus goers who selected him.  However, my impressions of a fresh face and the romanticism of change cannot outweigh the fact that I would take up arms to defend probably 60% or more of the things he would like to “change” if he’s elected and gets the opportunity. 

 

And then there’s Mike Huckabee.  I’m sure Iowans were naturally drawn to the gentleman from Arkansas, with his friendly tone, and his non-corporate composure.  I like that too.  Especially in light of some the other republican front-runners.  And it certainly doesn’t hurt for people to be able to identify with a candidate’s religious beliefs.  That being said, Huckabee, in my humble opinion, has yet to clearly define his stance and plan of action on major national issues (not the least of which are economic) that extend beyond the scope of what he experienced as governor of Arkansas. 

 

 At the end of the day, though, I suppose I still believe in and thank God for our political process.  And I’m not all opposed to politicians who make, at least one of their aims, to emotionally inspire the American people.  For what is leadership, without the ability to inspire?  The ironic and eerie contrast in the past few weeks between our American system and the deadly, irrational, and frightening scenes being played out in Pakistan and Kenya, creates in me an ever increasing fondness for the way we carry out the transition of executive power here. 

 

Thankfully, and despite the theme based emotional politics of the primary season, I am still left with a sense of hope.  Not the same hope that Barak, Huckabee, and others might have been trying to use as a political catch-phrase or slogan.  Hope that, in the end, our country will together peacefully choose its next leader, according to the process set forth in our constitution.  Hope that this election season will bring more public concern for the particular issues of personal liberty, which that same constitution was drafted to ensure.  And hope, that, even if themes and emotion, happen to play major roles in how we choose our next president, the themes that win the day will be those which most closely resemble the original themes present in the founding of this country, resulting in the strengthening our republic, the loosening of the reins of federal government, and the ongoing preservation of our God given liberties.  Perhaps we can all hope for a candidate who will inspire us towards that end.