…blogging thing for far too long: our collective cynicism about declarative statements made by politicians has evolved into a beautiful, elegant flowering plant. Case in point: Ann came up with a perfectly easy way to turn…
Q- Would you like to be president of the United States?
No
…into a “Yeah, I’m running” later on.
You know, this question of wanting or liking to be President… I don’t think one should ever want such an awesome responsibility. One always hopes that there is some far greater, far more experienced woman or man who will take on the overwhelming responsibilities of the presidency. It’s not about liking to be President. The Presidency is a profound duty, never to be undertaken for personal satisfaction. What I would like would be for Barack Obama to measure up to the trust the American people have put in him. That is what I want. But if, for whatever reason, the American people desire a change — and Wolf, it is what the American people want that is essential here — and if the American people turn to me, because I am the most able, best experienced person to move into the role of President, I would not turn away from them. By the grace of God, I would endeavor to serve them.
And Jim and I are both nodding along. Yup, that’s how she’d do it.
Moe Lane
PS: Not to defend a Democratic Secretary of State or anything, but if this scenario comes to pass then I feel obligated to point out that there are a lot of people out there actively encouraging the Republican Governor of New Jersey to come up with something roughly similar. I mean, sure, it’s different when we do it, no argument there – but we should at least admit that this is a situational issue.
Cynicism about political statements is a natural reaction, much like antibodies to a disease.