Sunday Night With John: Looking For A Leader

The instant I read the post, the instant my ire began to become irked. I was watching the Democratic debate and checking twitter at the same time. The tweet read, “Bernie Sanders seems to be the most honest, but no way would I vote for him, I’m Republican.” It’s irresponsible to dismiss a candidate because they don’t identify with your party.  That tweet meant you would vote for a non-honest Republican. We are in 2015 and learning about candidates for 2016, yet many of us have already decided to eliminate half the field based on party lines. It stunts the solutions we have at our disposal because we are allowing our elected leaders to only ponder solutions their “people” want. More importantly, it’s 2015 and we can’t realize that maybe the best person for the job, the person with this highest character, best leadership skills, and the right leader for the situation we face may be someone we completely disagree with.  We always harp on the other party to be more open, but we never harp on ourselves to be the ones who are open.

To be up front, I tend to lean Democrat because I tend to have hope that the richest country in the world can figure out a way to include everyone and provide at least everyone the same chance to be successful. I have never voted strictly as a Democrat and have just as easily casted my vote for an Independent or Republican if I feel they are the correct person for the job.  We have all had leaders we disagreed with on an important decision. I have watched the Republican debates because for the first time in 8 years, and have not yet decided whom to vote for from either party. I have also researched more candidates than I have ever have. I’ve also had candidates scare the crap out of me and make me wonder how they achieved this level of success. Candidates from both parties have made me re-think a social situation and challenge my own stance on the matter. Republican and Democrat candidates have impressed me and with many more debates and appearances to come before the calendar turns to 2016, I will continue to reserve my judgment and push to keep my mind open to anyone still in the running.

However, I have come to a conclusion in this search of where my vote will land and that lies with leadership. Leaders aren’t always loved. They have to make tough decisions and develop the trust of those they lead. I have drifted toward looking for a candidate who portrays the qualities of leadership I find important. I have looked to see who has compassion, who has a plan, who speaks with facts and truth, who takes the high road, and who conducts themselves with passion and portrays themselves as an American the country and world can look to with respect.

A long time ago I was talking about who to vote for, Obama and John McCain and an older guy said to me, “Show me a young person who is an conservative and I’ll show you a person who hasn’t discovered their heart.  And show me a old person who is a liberal and I’ll show you a person who hasn’t discovered their mind.”  I think that statements sums up what’s wrong with how we vote on our leaders. There are issues that I’m conservative on, there on issues I’m liberal on and that will continue as long as I live. I will always toggle, tussle, or compromise between my mind and my heart and age will not change that. But I can always vote for the candidate who can lead the best; despite what party they call home. I hope others start to realize party lines are imaginary and we can cross them as we please in the search of a great leader.  Be open to finding a great person, not just someone from your party because they think like you.  Being a leader is deeper than agreeing on issues.