I find the debate over the financial bailout plan interesting. Both candidates have been next to silent on it. Yes, both made statements about the plan. Both voted for the plan. Both expressed the need to bring this issue to some resolution. Neither, however, acted boldly presidential and took a leadership role.

Neither candidate rose above the other to resolve this issue. It was dull yet frantic politics as usual from both candidates.

Both claim to be able to handle the grave issues facing the country for the next four question riddled years. Both were in position to open a definable lead on their opponent. They could have deafened their critics and shown the people that:
(1) They had the full support of their party
(2) Had the influence to pull together persons from both parties to get things done
(3) Understand the motivation and desires of the people
(4) Could handle the country in a time of crisis

Neither did….

This makes me ask a bigger question about the top task of carefully choosing a president. Are we, the people, asking the right question? There is no right answer to a wrong question. Since neither candidate has yet to answer our screams for leadership on the economy, maybe we are simply asking the wrong question.

In the primaries, we asked both parties who we should choose as president. The Democratic response was Senator Obama. The Republican response was Senator McCain.

The question is not who should we choose as president, but who will be the best leader of our country over the next four years. Then, we can elect that person. In haste to get rid of G.W., we asked the wrong question. Unfortunately, what it takes be elected president and what it takes to be president are very different skill sets.

What does a person have to do for the people to vote for them? To be elected requires popularity and pandering.

We ask…
(1) Do I know and like this person? (I.e. Popularity)
(2) What will they do for me? (I.e. Pandering)

The candidate that best answers those questions generally is the most electable. McCain clearly has shown that he is electable. At least Republicans thinks so. Obama clearly has shown that he is electable. That is why his party chose him.

Let’s raise our political intellect and change the question, in effect changing the answer. Let’s ask a more basic, meaningful and impactful question. Who would be the best person for the job of president? Let’s ignore who the parties have “In the queue”. Let’s draw up a set of core skills that “this president” needs then identify people with those core skills. The list would depend on what is going on in the world. It would depend on the issues that we are currently facing. It would depend on the foreseeable issues.

We painfully need to change the question of picking a president from “Who should we elect as our next president?” to "Who is the best person to be our next president?" This would get us out of this “lesser of two evils” political process.

George W. Bush was the most electable candidate. However, poll after poll suggest that he has done a miserable job as president. It is not his fault though. Collectively, we chose him. What were we thinking? We did not ask what skills and qualities our next president should have. If so we would have insisted on candidates with experience with terrorism, crisis management, economic efficiency and bi-partisan coalition. George W. Bush has failed miserably on these accounts. But this begs the question, had he ever shown he was competent in these areas.

Are we asking the right question about picking the next president?  Have you asked yourself?
(1) What qualities should our next leader have? I would like someone who is trustworthy, has global vision, is accountable and has the ability to work with his/her rivals to get stuff done. Our next leader must have character.

(2) What competencies or skills should our next leader have? Crisis management, fiscal management, global strategy, and military management would be a few good skills to have. Our next leader must be competent in the areas where we have issues.

After insuring that a person has the character and the competence to hold the position of president, then and only then should, we turn our attention to his/her electability.

The Democrats presented Barack Obama as “The Answer”. The Republicans presented John McCain as “The Answer”. Unfortunately, when both had the chance to clearly show their ability to be president (the bail out plan), both failed to show up. The financial quagmire over the last few weeks was the perfect storm for the “Real President” to stand up.

George and his team came up with the horrible idea of bailing out businesses with questionable business practices so we could maintain business as usual on Wall Street. John McCain and Barack Obama followed, despite the outcry of the masses. Neither was the beacon of hope they claim to be. They decided not to cause any waves and voted for the bill, despite overwhelming public disapproval.

Either candidate, depending on the situation, can be elected president. Neither has shown that they can be president. We are asking the wrong question and there can never be a right answer to a wrong question.

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