After the tragic loss of Ted Kennedy, we are in dire need of a statesman to step up and help shape the country's future. No one seems eager to fill this vacuum of real leadership in Congress, but I can envision the possibility of John McCain donning the Lion's mantle. Those who know me may be surprised that I would identify him as a candidate but hear me out. Let's look at some of the reasons why this makes sense and some obstacles that could prevent it. We need someone who, regardless of personal ideology, can work with people across the political spectrum to get things done. We need someone with the steely courage to stand up for what's right even in the face of savage attacks, and we need an honest broker who can not only speak truth to power, but also speak truth to ignorance, which can actually be harder than confronting power.
Apart from these general characteristics of a statesman, there are other factors that pertain to our current circumstances that could make McCain the right choice. For one thing, the Democrats are very well represented at the moment and perhaps a Republican who is willing to work across the aisle despite personally being fairly conservative could help end the opposition for opposition's sake that has created the public's nearly universal contempt for Congress. Even more importantly, only a strong and at least fairly conservative Republican can wrest control of that party from Rush Limbaugh and his ilk who currently hold sway. May God have mercy on us all if those vipers continue to wield such power.
McCain's credentials for heroism in service of his country are bulletproof. I can't fathom the courage it took to remain in North Vietnamese captivity rather that accepting early release under circumstances he believed to be inappropriate. Likewise, he has a history of working on a bi-partisan basis to pass important legislation, and his national reputation was built in large measure by "straight talk" or speaking the truth regardless of possible political fallout. Also, many believe that Ted Kennedy dedicated his life to becoming one of the country's greatest senators only after his bid to become president was unsuccessful. This parallel may also be cause for optimism. Finally, McCain has publicly condemned "agents of intolerance" from the religious right, and Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck have shown very public disdain for him because his brand of conservatism is not that of the vicious, fire-breathing hate merchant.
While all of this is encouraging, there are some serious problems that must be corrected before his ascent is possible. The John McCain of late is not the man celebrated above. I fully understand the reality of national politics, but to be the one who can contribute so much to a country crying out for courageous leadership, Senator McCain must repudiate some of the things he has recently embraced. Anyone who is to be taken seriously as a straight talker on controversial public issues must issue nothing less than an unequivocal, full-throated denunciation of his former running mate's reckless idiocy on health care, just as he did with Congressman Wilson's outburst. Unfortunately, Senator McCain has not only failed to distance himself from former Governor Palin's nonsense, he has thrown his integrity under the "Straight Talk Express" by basically defending it. Unless and until he is willing to go back to condemning agents of intolerance and other offensive elements of his party's base and give the American people a welcome dose of candor, he will simply be one voice from the minority party rather than the man who can take his place in history among our greatest senators. Will the real John McCain please stand up and allow the possibility that the great statesman we so desperately need can step up.
