Leader
of the Free World: Super Human or Average Joe/Jane
By
Leroy Jones, Jr.
Political Commentator & Columnist
The recent
announcement by Democratic Presidential Candidate and former
Senator John Edwards that his wife, Elizabeth Edwards' cancer
has returned, caused uproar both in the race and in our country
over the meaning of family and career. What does this development
truly mean to the 2008 Presidential election?
Family and career choices are personal issues for every family,
but when you are running for President of the United States
these choices are scrutinized and dissected by the whole country.
A declaration of intent to lead the free world requires that
you put everything on the line and open up your entire life
to everyone. Although plainly, it is Senator Edwards' personal
choice to keep running, we all will be looking very closely
to see how Senator Edwards, the man, deals with this form
of adversity.
We
also will be looking to see whether Senator Edwards
can manage a national campaign, while dealing with the
kitchen table issues at home that we struggle with everyday.
If he can, this will be a shining example of juggling
varied demands at home and at the office. On the other
hand, if he cannot, which we will see played out in
real time by traditional and web-based media outlets,
this story promises to re-shape the debate on just what
it takes to hold the highest office in the land, thus
making the 2008 Presidential Election even more compelling
than it already promises to be.
Not
surprisingly, some argue that it is wrong to judge Senator
Edwards and his family's decision not to pull out of
or suspend the campaign. I disagree. Senator Edwards
and the other candidates are "interviewing"
for CEO of the United States. As such, it is everyone's
right to question the commitment, motives, and policies
of each candidate seeking the Presidency. Their private
battle with the C-word only highlights the personal
toil that everyone running for this office must face.
Folks truly empathize with Senator Edwards and his family
at this critical juncture. However, if Senator Edwards
decides to drop out at anytime before the Democratic
Convention, his fellow candidates will be lined up to
give their condolences and obtain his endorsement. The
"new found friends" will also try to obtain
the endorsements of those who previously endorsed him,
co-opt his fundraising list, and hire his key campaign
staffers who they believe could help their efforts to
reach the mountain top.
Lest we forget, the road to become the "Leader
of the Free World" is a long, thankless and brutal
journey. In the end, there are really only two questions
for Senator Edwards and the other Presidential candidates
to answer before Election Day 2008: (1) Can they lead
our entire Nation in a time of war; and (2) Do they
have the capacity to "hear" the American People
and the courage to make adjustments, in spite of personal
motivations, for the good of all? The successful answer
to these questions likely means the nomination, or at
the very least, a place on the national ticket. Those
too proud to answer these questions in the affirmative
will be doomed before the Primary Season.
Bottom line: We need to believe that the person we elect
to this high office is a real person who can relate
to the issues of the average American. The next "Leader
of the Free World" will hold the future of our
entire planet in his or her hands.
Now,
more than ever, the choice is clear: Either lead with
a sense of courage and accountability, or close the
blinds and get out of the way.
Leroy
Jones, Jr., is the creator of PoliticalJones.com
and a Political Commentator and Government Affairs Consultant
based in Washington, D.C. He is a regularly scheduled
guest on "The
Right Side with Shelley Wynter" daily radio
show on WAOK-1380 AM (Atlanta/CBS), XM Satellite Radio,
Blacknews.com and various other media outlets. Email
Mr. Jones at ljones@politicaljones.com
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