Ready, set, bicker: Nomination race has just begun and so has apologizing

It’s inevitable.

As soon as someone announces he or she is running for his or her party’s nomination to be the next president of the United States, there are several events that follow.

First, a myriad of people start coming out of the wings — including the perennial crazies — and announce that they, too, have what it takes to lead the nation.

Then, shortly thereafter, some of the hopefuls start talking honestly about some of their fellow candidates and reveal a whole lot about not only what they really think, but a little bit about their character as well.

And lest you think that it is the Republican Party that is turning on itself after the November debacle at the polls, think again.

So far, most of those who are doing the apologizing are Democrats.

The latest is Sen. Joseph Biden who had to eat crow this week because of comments he made about fellow democratic nomination-seeker Sen. Barack Obama.

And we have only just begun to hear the bickering and pettiness. Just wait until the election season really heats up. Then, President George W. Bush will not be the only one whose ears are burning.

Although there is a need to remain a gentleman or a lady when you enter the political arena, it might be kind of fun if we let the politicians loose and encouraged them to say what they really think about those with whom they will compete for the nomination.

We would agree not to be horrified by what they say or to hold them accountable for their comments — just until the official campaign begins. No racial slurs. No outrageous commentary. Just what they really think — unedited by party politics. After that, we can return to Robert’s Rules of Order and the statements for the cameras.

It might make for a rather interesting primary campaign.

Wouldn’t it be nice to know if any of the men or women running think their opponents are qualified to run? Wouldn’t you be interested to know what each nominee is really like when there are no television cameras around?

Wouldn’t it be revealing to know what the talk is around the water cooler — and if there are any rumors about any of these hopefuls that might come back to haunt us later?

And last but not least, wouldn’t you just once like to see someone say what he really thinks rather than edit himself to what he thinks we want to hear?

Honesty just might revolutionize politics. You never know. It certainly could be worth a try anyway — if we can find a politician who is brave enough to try.

Published in Editorials on February 1, 2007 10:20 AM