Elizabethtown, KY---March 18, 2007

The Republican Party portrays itself as the party of "family values".

Perhaps the party needs to change its slogan to "families values."

It is not being judgmental to state facts.  In fact, it seems that since Rudy Giuliani is currently the leading prospect for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, very few Republicans find the facts disturbing.

The fact is that Giuliani has been married three times, and is estranged from his children.  In the Republican wings-- and still pondering a presidential run-- is the self-enamored Newt Gingrich.

Gingrich has also been married three times.  He told one of his wives he was divorcing her while she laid in a hospital bed diagnosed with cancer. 

And now Gingrich confesses that at the very time he was blasting Bill Clinton as a man "[who] has . . . done more to debase the presidency . . . particularly the moral and biblical principles upon which it is based. . . ",  that he--Gingrich himself--was having an extra-marital affair.

Gingrich "confessed" to the Reverend James Dobson, who thanked him for confessing to what many had been whispering behind Gingrich's back.

Evidently Dobson co-ordinated this confession with Gingrich so that Gingrich could put this transgression--like his first two wives--behind him now;  in order to diminish its impact should he decide to run later.

It seems then--for Giuliani and Gingrich at least--to really practice their brand of family values, it is necessary to divorce and remarry several times;  in order to have several families upon which to practice those values.

The situation would be laughable if it was not so dangerous.  

Republicans claim they are the party of the religious, and normally have the backing of the religious right. 

But when one examines the practices of many leading Republicans--from Tom DeLay, to Randy Cunningham, to Representative Mark Foley, to Ralph Reed, to Scooter Libby, and to the party's leading presidential nominee prospect--it would take someone purposefully looking the other way not to see how mistaken that claim is.

President George W. Bush, still wildly popular within his own party, is the worst of all.  After all, he knowingly lied to every American citizen and the world in order to invade a country without justification or true reasons of national security.  This has only led to unnecessary death and destruction of an epic scale.

And whom did we see defending Bush for his actions on national television this morning?  Why, DeLay of course, a man who had to resign from Congress for ethics breaches.

What is dangerous about this?

It is dangerous for any party's constituency to wear blinders when considering where to place its allegiance.

It is dangerous to place allegiance in persons who are so plainly devoid of loyalty to their own family. This lack of loyalty and commitment to others--with its accompanying devotion to self over and despite others--can not speak well to devotion to other things:  like principles, laws, truth, the Constitution, and the nation itself.

For voters to ignore the flaws of disloyalty, dishonesty and self-love in order to support a party's nominees in spite of them, speaks of an intellectual and moral blindness on the part of those voters.

No party or individual is perfect.

But the people we entrust with the leadership of our country should be held to a standard higher than party membership or fame.

Is every person who has ever had a divorce unqualified for public office?  Of course not.

But someone who has made and broken an oath of "until death do us part" several times is not a loyal or trustworthy person, and does not deserve to lead us.

Elizabethtown, KY--March 4, 2007

Hillary has the money. . .lots of it.  Much more than any other Democratic contender for the party's presidential nomination.

Hillary has the name.  Surely better known than any other Democratic contender.

Hillary has experience.  Eight years as the First Lady.  In her second term as a U.S. Senator.

Hillary is intelligent. 

So what's Hillary's problem?  The answer is "it".  Bill Clinton has it.  Barak Obama has it.  John F. Kennedy had it.  Ronald Reagan had it.

"It" is charisma.  A natural likeablility and charm.  She has and is trying to have it.  But it isn't natural for her.  When she tries to have it, its obvious she is trying to have it.  And when you have to try to have it, you don't have it.

Recognizing that Hillary has everything but the all-important "it", even Democrats who might vote for her are afraid she'll win the nomination--but lose the presidential race-- for the lack of it.

That's what makes Obama such an attractive consideration for Democrats. 

Obama has it. 

Where Hillary seems tense, Obama appears relaxed.

Where Hillary seems touchy, Obama appears assured and confident. 

Where Hillary seems combative, Obama seems strong and measured.

Where Hillary seems planned, Obama seems instinctive. 

Where Hillary seems scarred, Obama seems hopeful. 

Where Hillary seems jaded, Obama seems optimistic. 

Where Hillary seems embattled, Obama seems inspired.

Obama's biggest shortcoming is his lack of experience at the national level.  He has also never served as a governor.  Some think that is a plus, but others worry that he needs more seasoning.

All of that said, there is another candidate Democrats should look at closer, before narrowing it down to Hillary and Obama.  That's Bill Richardson.

Richardson has experience at the state, national, and international level.  Richardson, 59, is the current governor of New Mexico. He won the office in 2002 with 56% of the vote.

His experience is long and deep,  starting with working for the State Department after graduating with a master's degree from Tuft's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.  In 1982, Richardson was elected to Congress where he spent a little more than 14 years.

In 1995 he helpled negotiate the release of two American aerospace workers captured by Saddam Hussein during the Gulf War.  He worked closely with Bill Clinton, again negotiating the release of  more American prisoners overseas. 

In 1997, Clinton appointed Richardson as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.  In July, 1998 Richardson was confirmed as Clinton's Energy Secretary.

Richardson's impressive and comprehensive background in government at state, national, and international levels is valuable.   In addition, he is well-spoken, at ease, self assured, and likeable. 

Richardson may be the perfect solution for a party who's leading contenders for the presidential nomination are currently one who has experience but doesn't have "it", and one who has "it", but little experience.