Politics

Over the weekend I invested some time in both the republican debate as well as catching up (via Meet the Press) with the democratic candidates. Now, all of these people seem very adept at getting their point across as well as magnifying minute differences between them and their opponents. All well and good, but I was disappointed overall in the quality of candidates our system now produces. I think what I am seeking (and there seems to be many others that I speak with that share my view) is someone who has convictions and integrity but can also disagree with someone without either questioning the character/motives of that person or demonizing them and/or their supporters.

I know each candidate strives to be the *anti-cola* and the strategy of a political campaign mirrors that of a major product ad campaign by Ford/GM/Pepsi/ et al. (really, is the difference between coke and pepsi so great that it takes billions of dollars to make certain we understand it? If that were in fact the case, wouldn't the differences be self-evident the first time you tried the product?)

It seems there is room for just such a candidate. One who does not blindly support or oppose an issue. The issues that face our country and certainly every American must be more complex and nuanced then a 30 second tv ad or a portion of a stump speech wherein the candidate commits to absolutely without question oppose or support issue *a* with his or her 5/10/12 point plan.

I guess what I am saying is where is the candidate that is equal parts humble and reflective. That says, out loud, *These are my views and my ideas, but they are not in and of themselves right and my opponents are not wrong for not agreeing wholeheartedly with them. Real progress rarely comes from a single source. You must always be willing to try a fresh approach. You must surround yourself with bright, well-meaning people and collectively work to serve the public interest*

Maybe this candidate would get crushed from the weight of the others *ad campaign* approach. *Candidate *a* once voted 10 times in row to raise your taxes.....he will do it again* (paid for by the committee to shape statistics in such a way to favor our guy) Heck, maybe I wouldn't even respond well to that type of campaign. It would be interesting, however, to see it in action......