Bill Clinton’s "View"
On an interview with ABC’s Barbara Walters on The View, Bill Clinton discussed the issue of experience, noting that no one can be "experienced" enough in serving as President of the United States, as it is not a job that either Obama nor McCain has done before. Nevertheless, he added about Obama: "I think he’s ready to be president. And I think McCain’s ready to be president. You’ve got to decide which president you want."
A wise view indeed. Here are thoughts on possible deciding factors, if indeed both would need on-the-job training:
1. Education.
This factor, so important to families when they help to shape the future of their children, is sometimes not factored into the equation. Education is not just about knowledge. Education plays a crucial role in a person’s attitudes, in the ability to assimilate information, in objectivity. Education makes for an individual who is a citizen of the world, and this plays well to the international community.
2. Personal Integrity
There is a lot out there on individual candidates at the top and bottom of the ticket. What evidence is there of integrity in all aspects of one’s life? While everyone makes mistakes, is there a pattern of dishonesty in the past? Saying "I take full responsibility" is simply not enough. Even within a campaign, is there evidence that winning alone matters and everything and everyone else be hanged?
3. The big picture
No candidate can be all things to everyone. We can only look at the broad picture and sometimes, we have to ask ourselves what we can live with and what we cannot. To choose not to vote because we feel disenfranchised from our personal soapboxes is counter-productive. Or one could call it a copout. There is a lot at stake and, in this election, we need to take a side.
