Searching for Greatness

In case you haven’t noticed, it’s an election year. Check your pulse if you missed it, you may be dead. The candidates have been in full campaign mode for what seems like half a century now and are really stepping up their efforts for the primary season. Yes, that’s right. We’re only in the primaries. The real campaign hasn’t even begun yet.
Despite my sarcasm, I find myself more than mildly interested in the competition this time around. It’s a bit like a sporting event: there are close calls, comebacks, underdogs, and off-the-field intrigue. Excitement, press conferences and strategizing. Unlike the Super Bowl or the World Series, however, this political/entertainment process will choose the leader of our nation. Unlike the athletic teams who are crowned victorious at the end of a long season, the winner of this competition will make decisions that will directly affect the well being of millions of people, both here at home and abroad.
Given our choices, I’m concerned. Sure there are some very intelligent candidates. Some brilliant politicians. Good looking, charismatic speakers. Wealthy businessmen and experienced leaders. There’s even a few who might be honest…sometimes. But when you look down the line-up of those who want to lead our nation, do you see any Greatness?
Greatness. Men and women who by the strength of character, vision, wisdom, and leadership have transformed the world. Men like Martin Luther King Jr. Like Franklin D. Roosevelt or Abraham Lincoln. Like Benjamin Franklin or George Washington. Not perfect people but individuals worthy of respect and admiration. People who can be looked up to and followed, during good days or bad.
That’s the kind of President I want and it’s just the kind that I don’t see pleading for my vote. Will the next great President please step forward?


This was submitted to the Cincinnati Enquirer last week but wasn't published.