Can an Independent Win?

I am running for president as an independent with no political experience. Can a candidate without major party support, coming out of “nowhere”, be an effective president? Why would we even consider such an idea?

President Kennedy once said, “Mothers still want their sons to grow up to be president. They just don’t want them to become politicians on the way.” It rings true, doesn’t it? And then we tell our children, “You can grow up to be anything you want to be in this country, even president.” Have you heard it?

Many of you may be thinking, this guy has no political experience at all. And you would be correct. I have no experience in bribery, back stabbing, lying to the press, breaking the law, or corruption…; but I see these as pluses!

Like many of you, over the years, I have voted for many candidates, and I have also voted against many candidates for various offices. We are often reduced to voting for the “lesser of two evils” and that’s the way it is. There is a Democrat and a Republican; choose one. I dislike labels but realize they are useful at times.

Because for me, and for each of you, and for anyone who is not content with today’s politics as usual – here’s a Democrat and a Republican; choose one… for those people, I want to offer something different. Someone outside the realm of politics, to stay outside it, and do the job I would be elected to do.

One day Benjamin Franklin entertained a few of his friends - Dr. Benjamin Rush and Thomas Jefferson. The conversation turned to what was the oldest profession. Dr. Rush, a physician, said the oldest profession was his. “After all, it was a surgical operation that made Eve out of Adam’s rib.” But Jefferson, who built Monticello, said, “No, it was the architect. Surely it was an architect who brought the world out of chaos.” Then Franklin replied, “You’re both wrong. It’s the politician. After all, who do you think created the chaos?”

Washington is full of problems, but not problem solvers. At least not those who can still be impartial. That is the freshness I hope to offer to the country. The words of Abraham Lincoln from his Gettysburg Address echo to us today, “That this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom – and that Government of the people by the people for the people shall not perish from the earth.”

Can you imagine a sitting president OF the people – one of us? Someone who knows and acts on the needs and concerns of the average American citizen…because they are one. Not insulated or distorted by years or decades of political deal making.

Can you imagine a president BY the people – a person chosen by popular vote as a response to common sense, and not someone bought by political action committee’s and political parties’ money?

Can you imagine a president FOR the people – not working for a party, not working to maintain a majority, owing no one for putting him in office except the voters… who the president should serve anyway? Someone who will work while in office, not touring the country promoting his party’s candidates. A president that watches out first for the concerns that you and I have and fixes the problems of our country that must be fixed now.

That is the dream. That is the plan.

But why not start with something smaller and work my way up? First, our country is running out of time. Changes need to be made now. Second, I want to make the biggest difference I can with the time I have. And third, remember it is my desire to be outside the realm of politics to be most effective. Working my way up through the ranks would have me looking for handouts and party power just like those who I am running against. Even if I fell 100% into a Republican or Democratic label, I don’t have the name recognition or the ability to raise enough money to compete. Each party is expected to spend $500 million dollars for the 2008 elections. That is a contest I cannot and will not compete in. When our presidency can be bought by the biggest spender, we all need to be ashamed and afraid.

You can grow up to be anything you want to be in this country, even president. Do you believe it? Do you dare to dream big enough?

Steve
Steve@PresidentAdams.com
http://www.presidentadams.com/ – 2008 campaign site

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