Job Sharing

The Iowa Caucus has been interesting. Staunch Republican friends are struggling with where to throw their endorsement.  For me, in the last two decades I've waffled between the parties, including Independent. Still vote the person and not the party.

It's interesting to see what this level of visibility does to the candidates. What enormous pressure to be on the spot for months, having to keep the political persona in perfect wear. Not sure that we aren't over-exercising our right to know at the expense of a really good presidential candidate. But that's a hunch, just like it will be on voting day when we hope and pray what we've seen will be what we get.

We knew Obama was a greenhorn from the beginning. We knew his views of democracy and citizenship and government were not mainstream. Certainly those differences have not helped resolve the serious issues facing our country or instilling confidence that we think our president will represent us well.

It would have been a Godsend to see him surround himself with the most brilliant minds and actually take their advice, rather than focus his term on how posterity will view him for having put women and minorities in cabinet roles for the first time. It would have been inspirational to watch him muster untapped strength and wisdom from within, and successfully tackle any one of the serious issues in play. But the fact that he didn't isn't as much a surprise to me as listening to friends and neighbors complain for having handed the reins to an inexperienced unknown. 

This time there will be a different kind of assessment when I look at the candidates. We know what it looks like when Washington works and when it stalls, and what the candidate brings to the table is of the utmost importance. I pray for someone who has mastered the rules, is quick on his feet, and a Christian. Someone who will stand tall with tenacity and integrity to maneuver through the treacherous waters of change. Someone other than the choices we have.

I've thought for a while the President's role should be re-tooled. Maybe job shared.  You know, let one guy cover domestic and the other foreign affairs. Maybe utilize the VP for more than christening yachts and going to funerals. Pick a running mate to actually help run and manage the big business of doing the right thing.