I recently told a friend I would not discuss or write about the national election anymore. It is not like I get it. It is not like a single insight, prediction or analysis I have made in the past six months has been anywhere close to what has prevailed when real people either voted or talked to pollsters.
But I am addicted to politics. So in the paraphrased words of Ronald Reagan and Chris Christie, “Here it is and here I go again.”
Let me first ask a question: Have we not known since November of 2012 that come 2016 we would be required to pick a brand new President? The Constitution demands it. We cannot decline. Then why have both political parties failed to assemble an acceptable field of candidates from which we can choose? Is this really the best we can do?
This is a flawed election but perhaps it perfectly reflects a confused, ambivalent, pessimistic and borderline depressed nation.
So what happens if neither party fields a candidate ideal for the times? And by that, I do not mean a candidate who best epitomizes the times - there are plenty of those - but one who is ideally suited to lead us for the next four to eight years. Well, then we are - to put it in technical terms - screwed.
You are welcome at this point to proudly make your case for one of the candidates currently contending for the presidency, but the American electorate has clearly and unenthusiastically already weighed in at the polls (and whatever they call that thing they substitute for democracy in Iowa) and in public opinion surveys on this bunch and and have voiced a collective “Eh.”
So what happens next?
What if no strong independent candidate threw his or her hat into the ring and said the ‘the time is now?”
What if after fairly closely examining some two dozen men and women from all walks of political, spiritual and professional life the American people said ‘uh uh, nah. None of them?’
Well then you would have the American Presidential Election of 2016.
At the end of the day, it looks like we will wind up with Trump-Clinton or Rubio-Sanders or Cruz-Clinton or Kasich-Sanders or any other combination you want to compose from the remaining field.
Get you excited? Make you want to roll up your sleeves, give up some weekends and evenings and knock on some doors? Thought not.
Sure, the partisans will retreat into their respective camps and come out guns-a-blazing for their nominee this fall. The rest of the nation looks like it is going to say “bleh” and check out what’s on Netflix.
How could our political parties have failed us so monumentally? Perhaps it is finally time to ditch this two-party system once and for all. We cannot even articulate what a “Republican” or “Democrat” is anymore except when we decide to say that so and so is NOT one.
But I remain hopeful. It is my nature. For the first time in a couple of generations, a late comer to the election can ascend to the White House. And not just for a tour or the Easter Egg Roll. This is your time. There has never been this perfect storm of “flavor-of-the-day-soup-du-jour” society meets wide open presidential election.
Are you a popular actor or athlete over the age of 35 with something to say; solid communications skills; and some great ideas to lead the nation. This is your chance.
Are you a business person, a health care provider, a reporter (God forbid. No, really, God, forbid it.), leader of a non profit, labor leader, a mayor, commissioner, representative, senator, governor, religious leader, ANYONE out there who is willing to give it a shot?
If you have EVER harbored illusions that you can be President; if you have ever said, “I can do a better job than that sorry lot in Washington;” if you have ever been elected to student council and actually liked it; THIS IS YOUR TIME!
Boy, are we ever desperate. Throw your hat in the ring. Let us take a look. We will let you know pretty quickly. We always do.
A grateful nation thanks you.
