HONOLULU, August 16, 2012 — The best kind of leadership is leadership by example. As the Liberty shipbuilder Henry Kaiser famously said, “When your work speaks for itself, don’t interrupt.” In elected politics however, far too often we see grandstanding in place of leadership and 30 second advertisements in place of expertise.
Vice President Biden’s Danville stump speech in which he implied that those who support cutting back Wall Street regulations would put blacks “back in chains” is a perfect example of the shock-and-awe gutter tour that mainstream campaigns have become all about.
Thoughtful debate, discerning analysis of important issues and most importantly middle ground are nearly impossible to find in the battle of egos that elections bring to the forefront. One can scarcely suggest anything these days without candidates or their army of super PACs demonizing and associating the proposed change in policy with killing old people or destroying the American way of life as we know it.
On the other hand, one can’t help but notice the incredible statesmanship and added value that Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson brings to this year’s political process: Despite being kicked to the curb and dismissed by the Republican Party, he kept preaching his reform message, even though it meant changing parties.
The former New Mexico governor did not resort to scathing attack ads or bitter, scorched earth messaging to pull support over to the Libertarian Party. What we saw instead with Gary Johnson was the epitome of libertarianism: an invitation to “be libertarian with me, just this one time.” His messaging gives America what it truly needs: a pat on the back and an inspiring offer to make things right.
Johnson makes this year’s election truly worthwhile. Not only does he deserve a chance at appearing in the upcoming Fall presidential debates, he deserves a chance from America’s frustrated voters.
You can’t help but call Gary Johnson what he is: a true gentleman. If this is any example of what a Johnson Administration would be like should the former New Mexico governor actually step foot in the Oval Office, America owes itself that kind of calm, steady yet confident leadership by example.
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