February 4, 2000

The year 2000 is a presidential election year and although November may seem a long way off, we already have the Iowa Caucuses and the New Hampshire primary behind us. If anyone outside of Iowa and New Hampshire has been paying any attention yet, he or she is probably hearing some of what I’m hearing. Where are the leaders? Where are the heroes? What will constitute “character” in this election? Issues of moral character that were boohooed in the last presidential campaign seem to be of primary concern this campaign cycle.

Although our Oregon primary isn’t until May, here in Marion County there is considerable talk about leadership and character already. It seems everywhere one turns, there is mention of leadership, values, and character sprinkled throughout news features, speeches and commentaries. Even my e-mail is highlighted with thought-provoking quotes and essays on leadership, values and character (or the lack thereof). Does this all mean we can be encouraged, as a nation, to rise to a higher level this campaign season?

Republican presidential candidate, John McCain said in his New Hampshire victory speech, “It is the beginning of the end of the truth-twisting politics of Bill Clinton and Al Gore.”

This kind of comment isn’t only coming from the Republicans. Democrat presidential candidate Bill Bradley said, “When a candidate won’t trust the people enough to tell them the truth in the campaign, how will the people trust the candidate enough as President to tell them the truth?”

It might be too much to expect, that throughout the entire presidential campaign, the primary focus of the candidates, and on the candidates, will be about character. But one thing is for sure: a national economic crisis will not be the focus!

The fact that our national economy is the most prosperous it’s been in years, is sure to take the wind out of the sails of some of the standard election-year rhetoric and perhaps voters will be spared the same old predictable stump speech material that bemoans the myriad of crises in our lives.

Typically, most candidates talk about the health-care crisis, the education crisis, the transportation crisis, and, of course, the reason for all these crises is the funding crisis! But, if you vote for them, they will save the elderly and the poor, save the schools, save the children, save the Salmon, save the environment, save the farmland, save the homeless, and, most of all, save you!

After the New Hampshire primary, exit polls found that what that state’s voters were looking for in a president is someone who stands up for his own beliefs and someone who is a strong leader. A high school constitutional law student summaries well the attributes of a good president.

“A president can’t automatically get all his policies,” said Shaula Clark, because they have to pass through Congress. But the reason the presidency was created was so everyone could have a figurehead – not like a king or queen – but somebody that everyone can look to for direction, almost a morale-booster, someone that everyone can identify with. Kind of a role model, who influences people’s attitudes.”

If nothing else, the New Hampshire primary gives us hope that our younger generation is searching for that higher level, a man of character, a person who can lead us in the twenty first century.

November may be several months away, and we in Oregon have a little more time to consider who has the character and leadership to be our president. However, in the meantime, our March filing deadline will be here soon, and our May primary won’t be far behind. Candidates are already campaigning in our communities and around the state. These standards, these qualities of character and leadership should, and do, apply to candidates at all levels of government. Who among our local candidates has the character and leadership abilities to lead us?

Patti Milne

982-6097

We probably cannot expect the entire presidential campaign through to November to focus primarily on character, but our prosperous national economy is sure to take the wind out of the sails of some of the standard election-year rhetoric and debate material. Is it too much to hope that the typical political rhetoric about the health-care crisis, the education crisis, the transportation crisis, and, of course, the reason for all these crises is the funding crisis! But, if you vote for them, they will save the elderly, save the Salmon, save the environment, save the schools, save the children, save the farmland, save the homeless, and, most of all, save you!

With the economy is the healthiest it’s been in years, perhaps voters will recognize the flawed perspectives of all these “crises” and look deeper for individuals with character and leadership. It can be argued that issues come and go. It can be argued that the issues stay the same. But it is generally agreed that integrity, honesty, courage, and other honorable qualities endure. Hopefully, Clinton fatigue is setting in.

Incidentally, these candidate standards apply to all levels of government: City, county, state, federal and school board positions.

Maybe this interest in the aspects of character is not just politically related, but maybe the new century or the new millennium have spurred people to re-evaluate our human experience. Maybe the new year, the new century give people a sense of renewal, a new opportunity to do things differently?

I don’t know what it is, but it is refreshing!