And it is not enough just to get out there and raise money and state your beliefs for the public to wrestle with and criticize. The hungering mob which makes up what passes for American journalism these days also wants to know who you have slept with and when, if you have paid all your taxes, bills, and credit cards, and if you are now or have ever been a human being. Every secret, every little known fact, and every piece of minutae of your life will be dredged up and put on Hard Copy, 60 Minutes, and Geraldo Dead, I mean Geraldo Alive.
Is this any way to choose our leaders? We Americans just cannot make it easy on ourselves. We have this hunger to dissect and analyze and criticize and humiliate anyone who dares think they want to be our President. Is it any wonder many good people look at this brutalizing process and say, "No thank you."
Into this cauldron comes Colin Powell. The retired and decorated General and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is considering a run for the White House. His present popularity is such that the media is ready to inaugurate him President. General Powell has just finished a book tour where he was mobbed and tickled with the Potomac fever. And the question currently driving everyone who cares about politics is, "Will he run or won't he?"
For what it is worth, and not very much, I hope Colin Powell runs for President. Here are my reasons. First, I believe with the racial divisions in our country once more at the forefront, Powell may be the only candidate who can begin the healing dialogue we need so desperately. And he may be the only candidate who cares. Looking at how the other candidates - from Clinton to Dole to all the other clowns - are running from the question, Powell may be our only hope. (Can you believe President Bubba actually said he was surprised at the reactions to the OJ verdict! And what planet does he serve on?)
Second, if he runs in the Republican primaries which make the most sense, he will absolutely drive the Christian Coalition and the Religious Right nuts! Here they are, salivating at the prospect of anointing (a good Biblical term!) the Republican candidate, and along comes General Powell with a moderate Republican position - pro choice, pro affirmative action, for limited gun control - threatening to cancel their coronation. The screaming you hear from Pat Robertson and the "NEWTSTER" and Ralph Reed (head of the Christian Coalition) is their fear he could win and they would be out on their Bibles.
For me, it wouldn't get much better. Just knowing a Powell candidacy would drive those self-righteous power mongers crazy would be enough for me to volunteer to push Powell's campaign bus. Beyond my own private joy, I think Colin Powell would help bring some sanity and presence to the Presidency it so desperately needs. Owing nothing to anyone, he could govern out of conviction not convenience. Wouldn't that be a switch? Powell just might be what our country needs right now. He'll get my vote.
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