A President For Us All?

As we continue through the 2008 Presidential campaign, a great many questions have arisen. Some are more policy oriented than others, but many relate to the background and character of our next leader.

More than just how Senators Obama and McCain have voted, we have to see who they are to determine what kind of Presidency they will have. What books do they read, what kind of family life have they had and even what do they do for fun all come into play.

One great example occurred during what passes for a wide-ranging interview Senator McCain did with the New York Times this weekend. There are many fascinating bits of information about McCain, and many are examples of his independent streak.

There was one that stood out to me, and is another stark example of the generational differences of this campaign. He said, in part:

“I am learning to get online myself, and I will have that down fairly soon, getting on myself. I don’t expect to be a great communicator, I don’t expect to set up my own blog, but I am becoming computer literate to the point where I can get the information that I need.”

and even:

“I don’t e-mail, I’ve never felt the particular need to e-mail,”

McCain also states that he has staff who read him blogs and pass on important information. Could he have said anything else to prove that he is out of touch? My own 75 year old father uses a computer to read the news and blogs. He regularly emails with my entire family and even old war buddies. That isn't the Vietnam War, but Korea. So, if he and others this age can do it, why can't McCain?

How does he hope to not only lead during this time, but relate to those whom he is leading? More importantly, how will he get his information?

I've worked around many campaigns and elected officials and the worst thing that can happen to them is to become insulated. The information they receive is filtered through the perspective of the person delivering it. The further you go up the chain of power, the worse it gets. It is often referred to as the "bubble".

Yet, the internet and new technology have given our leaders a way to break through. Due to time constraints it made sense that the President or a U.S. Senator didn't have time to trek down to the library or bookstore to search around for information. He or she only had time to read press clippings [prepared by staff] versus reading dozens of newspapers and magazines each day.

Now from their own blackberry or iphone these same leaders can break out of the bubble and know what is going on. Not only will they have a National Security briefing, but can read what embedded reporters are writing. Some are even using things like text messaging and device to device messaging to bypass staff and communicate privately. A revolution indeed!

But where will Senator McCain be in all this? Will he be able, or even willing to reach out and hear what is being said beyond the confines of his own White House? Or will he be like President Bush, who prefers staying in the dark and a has shown a dangerous reliance on staff?

Perhaps the most important question that arises is this: Why hasn't John McCain been curious enough to learn this sooner? As the internet revolution occurred around him, and he sat on powerful committees in the Senate, how has he not made the attempt before now?

I fear what this tells us, and it is why we have to look beyond voting records when choosing a leader, is that Senator McCain isn't a man who thinks outside of the box. He is content with staying in his own insular world and trusting others to do the thinking for him. I simply don't believe we can afford another four or eight years of anyone like that.

Phil Gramm Politicians

For the last few days, and for the next few as well I would guess, much has been written about former Senator Phil Gramm's comments regarding the economy. For those of you who have been living under a rock, he said:

"We have sort of become a nation of whiners."

and:

"You've heard of mental depression; this is a mental recession."

If you have followed Gramm's career, this shouldn't come as a surprise to you, which is why I don't understand Senator McCain's people having him involved in their campaign. This is a man who, discussing cuts to Social Security, said "They are 80-year-olds. Most people don't have the luxury of living to be 80 years old, so it's hard for me to feel sorry for them." What a softy.

There was a time in our country when this is what it took to get elected. With sound-bite driven media, and the need to constantly feed the hard-liners in both parties "red meat", politicians responded with over-the-top statements and attacked those in the opposing parties with a zeal usually reserved for deer hunters on opening day.

While there are still plenty of partisans and politicians out there who fall into this category, younger voters are changing the process. With the ability to reach beyond the normal sound bite [now just 7.3 seconds on average] by reading blogs and news aggregators, Generation X and Millennials are less responsive to these techniques. While more active than their parents, they are less strident in their politics when it comes to partisan loyalty, and less likely to believe that no good ideas can come from the other side of the aisle.

Not since 1960 have we seen an election where generational differences were as clear as this one as Senators Obama and McCain represent opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to generational definitions. This is abundantly clear now in their choice of supporters and advisers. Those "unpaid" advisers who have spoken out in the Obama campaign have quickly become unpaid former advisers. In the McCain campaign they are merely moved off camera.

Time will tell which of these two brands of politics and governing America wants. I personally predict that not only will the November vote be divided along partisan lines, but generational lines too as with many of us who want to work for our country, and not just our Party, choose Senator Obama.

Unfortunately, we'll have to listen to several more months of Gramm-like politics I'm afraid...