Other Voices: Leadership is based on core values
By John Howard
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12:01 a.m. PT Mar 25, 2008
The March 14 column by Arianna Huffington in The Union, "McCain fails leadership test over Obama slur," misses the mark of a leadership test. GOP Rep. Steve King made some assertions about Obama's middle name and al-Qaida dancing in the streets if he wins. This and other repugnant remarks damage Rep. King, not McCain, who disagrees with these comments and intends to run a respectful race.
Huffington stated, "This is the kind of inflammatory blather we have come to expect from the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter and Michael Savage. But this is a member of the United States Congress." She went on to express that this is the reality of the Republican Party, where the lunatic fringe is now mainstream.
Once you get past the insults, you wonder about all the "second guessers" on the war - the insults that President Bush has received, Gen. Patreaus and others in Senate hearings. Democratic leadership has stalled legislation in committee even when the Democrats know it has the votes to pass and will be signed by the president (Homeland Security). If the liberal leadership doesn't like bipartisan action on a bill, it locks it in committee.
Obama has come under scrutiny for a relationship with his preacher of more than 20 years. The Rev. Wright, based on his remarks, appears to have made some very biased and hateful statements. Obama has recognized this and separated himself from these remarks.
Both Obama and McCain are senators and have separated themselves from these remarks. McCain has reached out to the liberals on several bills. One bill was on the reform of political spending, and recently both senators voted on a bill to eliminate earmarks.
Earmarks are a favorite of politicians, who support a group of their constituents on projects that consist of the bridge to nowhere or the demise of the red-bellied slug. Pork is used to support re-election. When the vote was taken, 29 Republican senators and five Democratic senators, including our presidential contenders, voted for the elimination of "earmarks." It was defeated. Will it ever be revived?
This may prove that pork is more popular with Democrats than Republicans. I don't believe this for a minute. Leadership is based on core values and listening to advice with the ability to react with specific solutions. This is not an easy job in our form of government, but who said it was easy?
John Howard is a Nevada County resident.
