Here is a summary of my observations on presidential campaigns.
The candidates always say they are going to run a positive campaign, but it always turns negative and nasty.
They always say that the campaign is about the people and their love of the country, but the one with the most money wins.
They try to act like they are humble, but have huge egos to even consider running.
They try to appear common, but they are millionaires.
They say they are trustworthy, but play fast and loose with the facts.
They present a carefully crafted image, but we seldom catch a peek of the real person.
They all have plans about what they would do if elected, but those plans are usually in the purview of Congress, rather than the administrative branch.
They beat their stump speech to death, but usually offer little detail.
They say they are good leaders, but yet they try to out conservative (or liberal) one another, indicating an unreasonable disposition that is closed to new ideas.
They say they have the right experience, but how in the world could you be prepared to be the President of the United States?
They are all going to straighten out Washington, but no one ever has.
They all act as though they understand the common man, but they are likely all elitists who don’t have most of the concerns of the common man.
They say they want what is best for the nation, but their rhetoric is divisive.
They are usually very good communicators, but very poor promise keepers.
They know what you have to do get elected and are willing to stoop to that level, but often do not know how to rise to the level of a leader and chief executive once they are elected.
They are usually very intelligent (or well advised), but character and conviction is much more important.
They know how to spin most anything, but straight answers are elusive.
They never say, I was wrong, but always say their opponents are wrong.
Originally posted January 12, 2012.
