THE LINE UP We are just beginning to become aware of the persons who are going to be active in the process of the election of a new president in the forthcoming election.
The starting list is varied and the entire list will, of course, be unknown for weeks and even months, yet. Talk about the event has started and many of those from whom we have heard this early have, certainly been considering the possibility of such a run for many years.
This is something that is rarely taken without deeply seated assurances make the extremely high costs worthy. There are wide elements of such expenditure, too. It demands cash, coins, species papers of all kinds, deft banking operations and there are social and psychic costs as well for candidates, their family and close associates. Amounts can hardly be calculated, but it is an oddity that all candidates - those who win as well as those who lose suffer some such loss.
We have heard one such statement from a naturally honest and forthright man Colin Powell, who has very recently when urged by many to run for the office, said he would not be candidate and the reason which guided him to say so was obviously that he did not want to put his wife and family through such a campaign as would be necessary. Such a refusal, in itself, could strike some citizens as just the sort of thing which makes him an outstanding person and they will re-new their efforts to get him to run. Other national service work - yes; but the Oval Office? No.
The "Ladies First" sign is a special feature of the run this time. The banner has been waved far and wide with more courage and assurance since Hillary Clinton took on the title and political twang of being a Senator from New York. Many people quickly accepted the idea that the nominating body of the Democratic party would rush to support any such attempt by Hillary Clinton to gain the nomination. The same people, so often, seemed to accept the idea that Secretary of State Condaleezza Rice would be the Republican named to oppose her. The war of two winning women seemed a sure thing to many, but I am still of the opinion that such a run - to be a success - must wait until the American voters are ready for a female head of state. Hillary Clinton still has to prove she is not Bill Clinton all over again and Condaleezza Rice has to prove she is not black. Each...both...and neither of them can do that which is, thus, required of them. It will be a while, I feel , before the average American voter is prepared to even consider electing a woman to the Presidential office.
This is, I feel unfortunate, because we are avoiding some remarkable talent and special abilities as we pass over our capable women citizens. The American citizen, who take pride in being active as a steady voter does not, unfortunately, realize how ignorant and uninformed he or she might. It may be difficult for you to accept, but many vote-casters are often totally ignorant of that for which they are balloting. So many men seem to feel all women are thus situated; women think such mis-miscreants are men. Members of one party think the culprits are simply members of any other party or faction thereof.
We are hearing names now and being treated to Commencement Speeches at various colleges and universities by "presidential hopefuls." Look at that list and see how many individuals you really think you "know".
Check out names such as J. McCain, H. Clinton, C. Rice, Al Gore, N. Gingrich, J. Thomson, H. Giuliano and names from your state or general area. In my own Virginia sphere , two former governors are testing New Hampshire and Iowan political currents - Mark Warner and George Allen - who may mean nothing to you just as yours are unknown in my book
We all have a lot to do learning about those who are interested in running. Try to decide why you vote at all! Most important - admit to yourself who or what compels you to vote as you have done, are doing and will - most likely continue to do.
Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 5-15-06 [c726wds]
