Crossposted on DailyKos.com
I thought I would be waiting until February 5th to decide for whom I would cast my primary vote for President. I thought I would weight out each candidate's positions and traits pragmatically, and decide which one best fit me, vowing to abandon any "gut" feeling that may cloud my judgment.
But I've found, as the longest presidential campaign in our nation's history is in it's most formative stages, that many of the words being spoken and actions being taken by candidates on both sides of aisle lacked one key component: pure, unadulterated, and sincere courage.
In recent days, and after watching 60 minutes only 15 minutes ago, I have seen the face (faces!) of courage in American leadership today, and they are John and Elizabeth Edwards.
"...there's not a single person in America that should vote for me because Elizabeth has cancer... Do not vote for us because you feel some sympathy or compassion for us. That would be an enormous mistake."
To me, the only mistake that can now be made is NOT voting for John Edwards to be our next President. The 60 minutes interview tonight may not have been expertly executed (Katie Couric ain't no Barbara Walters) but was expertly answered.
Here are two people in the public spotlight with the strength not only to carry on their campaign, but to touch on completely non-political matters -- matters of spirit -- that is lacking in American life in general. When the Edwards look into your eyes and say "We are all going to die someday," they speak a truth far greater than any kind of public policy. It's a thought that frightens most people back into their ostrich holes; it's the reason why those "some people say" that Edwards is being selfishly ambitious. The politician with the courage to acknowledge the impermanence of life is the only one with the courage to lead.
This is compounded by a short short story by McClatchy I found in today's Sunday paper that clearly showed that Edwards is committed to a universal health care plan for all Americans. So that those families living with cancer who aren't millionaries or running for national office can have the same great care and attention that Elizabeth will be receiving. Because those people are human beings just like Elizabeth, and they work a full week, just like Elizabeth.
Obama just says he'll do whatever it takes...which basically says "Whatever!" And we know how my state's Senators likes to triangulate. That's not courage; that's politics.
We've had six years of politics. We've had six years of cowardice. We've had six years of two steps backwards, one more step backwards. This new development in the lives of the Edwards and their resolve to continue their quest despite living with a deadly affliction does not demand any "sympathy" vote...
...it demands what I like to call an "inspiration" vote.
It will be the best vote anybody has ever cast in our nation's history. Please join me in supporting John Edwards and Courage for President in 2008.
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