So many of us are looking for ways to distinguish among the over-crowded field of Presidential candidates.
The hopefuls of each major party have so little to separate them on the issues, each one trying to yell a little louder to convince us that they can be the inspirational standard-bearers we should follow.
Occasionally, though, we catch a quick glimpse that speaks volumes about a candidate’s character in a way that endless speeches on the war or Social Security or homeland security cannot.
Two GOP candidates — John McCain and Mitt Romney — have offered us snippets of what they’re really made of that I think are worth considering with all their other positions and qualifications.
You may not remember the McCain episode I’m thinking of, but it was highlighted in a recent New York Times cover story about McCain’s wife, Cindy.
While the Bushies deny it, someone believed to be linked to the Bush 2000 campaign leaked false stories that McCain had fathered a black, out-of-wedlock daughter. The child they were referring to was the daughter the McCains adopted from Bangladesh.
McCain never really came to the defense of his family or called GOP strategists on the ugly smear tactic. He just let it go by and has continued to wrap himself in the cloak of those who wanted to ruin his 2000 presidential bid campaign at the expense of his little girl, who now has found out about the episode.
And what do you say about the character of Mitt Romney, whose loyalties seem somewhat divided between conservative voters and his wife, whose multiple sclerosis could be cured as a result of stem cell research?
Only a few years ago, Romney told the voters of Massachusetts that he favored government funding of that research, but now, in a seemingly politically expedient move, he does a “180″ in favor of conservative voters on this issue, apparently ignoring the potential benefits such research could have for his wife’s health.
Yes, I know that stem-cell research is a very loaded issue, but when it’s something that could directly impact your spouse and your family, I would think a candidate would be less about flip-flopping and more about finding a way to create a compassionate position that would reveal his humanity.
Now, I freely admit, I will not be voting for either McCain or Romney, but I hope that those who are will consider these episodes when taking the measure of the candidates. I think they are so much more telling than any position papers or contrived debates.
July 11th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
Being from MA, Romney as a candidate scares the bejeebus out of me.
I have never understood McCain’s behavior. He seems like a decent man on many levels, but his actions are so disappointing. (I would not vote for him either though–obviously.
July 11th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
I like McCain much better when he’s NOT running for president. As a senator and a leader I think he does a fabulous job of calling a spade a spade, even within the Republican party. But now, it’s like he’s to busy kissing Republican butt to stand up for what he really thinks.
July 12th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Lawyer Mama brings up a great point. Each one changes so dramatically when a vote is looming from behind. And then, again, after the votes are cast.
July 12th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
I agree with Lawyer Mama, that I like McCain best when he’s not pandering to the Republican base. I really like the man as a person when I’ve seen him interviewed but get very disappointed in him when he doesn’t stand up for what he believes. I wouldn’t have been voting for him anyway but I used to feel that if he won it wouldn’t be the worst thing that could happen. Now I don’t know what he really stands for.