A Ray of Hope Shines on the Political Landscape

Like many Americans, I've grown so cynical about our negative, destructive, and often corrupt political system that I sometimes hesitate to offer praise for good, decent politicians where it's due, for fear that I will be laughed at or proven wrong.  If you're like many people, you will probably ask "what good, decent politicians? Do they even exist?"  In response to that anticipated question, I'm going to throw away my cynicism for a moment and offer some much deserved praise for one politician whose career I've been watching with great interest since the latter half of 2003.

The man I'm talking about is former Senator John Edwards.  If you've been paying attention, then you remember John Edwards as John Kerry's running mate in 2004.  I suppose not many people pay much attention to the vice presidential candidates, so I'm not sure how many people got much of a chance to witness John Edwards as a person or to perceive what a profoundly decent, honest, compassionate and committed person he truly is. 

I say this as someone who's been watching him for three years with the skeptical, cynical part of my brain always trying to find something to distrust.  I'm happy to report that I've yet to find any reason to dislike or distrust him.  In fact, I will say it right now, no matter how corny it sounds: John Edwards gives me hope.  Hope for our country, hope for our political system, hope for the world.

Edwards shoots from the hip.  Whenever I've seen him answer voter's questions, he just tells them what he thinks.  He's not looking for an angle, not trying to calculate what the most politically expedient response might be.  He tells you what he cares about and what he stands for as a person. 

This integrity is exemplified by his persistence in fighting poverty, an issue he cares deeply about, although he has been told repeatedly by political pundits that it's not a politically viable issue.  Edwards just thinks solving the problem of poverty is the right thing to do, as he will tell anyone who will listen.  In fact, after the 2004 election, having given up his Senate seat to run, he went straight to work on the issue of poverty by starting a new program called the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Edwards has made helping the disadvantaged a lifelong priority.  Republican critics will tell you that he was a very successful trial lawyer.  Yes, he was.  Since when is it a crime to be very good at a vocation which, at its best, helps the victims of tragic circumstances regain some measure of control over their lives, usually in the face of formidable, unfeeling, and neglectful corporate opposition? 

Yes, Edwards was a very good plaintiff's lawyer.  That's the kind of lawyer who helps people like you and I receive an equitable settlement after some sort of life-changing injury, possibly caused by corporate neglect or business decisions that choose profit over safety.  It's nice to find competent people in any field, but there's nothing quite like finding a truly competent plaintiff's lawyer when you need one.

Another criticism of Edwards that I heard repeatedly during the 2004 election is that he has nice hair.  I didn't know looking grungy was required for a politician these days.

Those two criticisms were pretty much the worst things the Republicans could find to say about him.  He was good at his job and he has nice hair.  That's certainly pretty damning.

But, in spite of the audacious degree of competence shown by both John and his hairdresser, I'd like you to give John a chance.  There are also those pesky little things like character and vision to consider.  I'm sure those people who find competence and good hair to be a problem also have a problem with honesty, integrity, common sense, and good ideas.  Maybe this is a bit weird, but I actually like people to tell me the truth, stand by what they say, and have a lot of good ideas.  I'm sure he'll get attacked for those things too, but I think John fits that bill nicely.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could finally have a president again who could really inspire people, bring the country together, and truly lead?  We've come to a pretty dark place in American politics.  I think we're crying out for someone we can trust, someone who has at least some of the right answers, and someone who has a vision to get us there.  We need someone who can eloquently make the case that America should do the right thing on issues like poverty, the environment, and Iraq.  In short, we need a visionary leader on the order of a FDR, a JFK, a MLK, or a Gandhi.  I truly and completely believe that John Edwards could be that leader, if we let him.

Now, this is not to say that I agree with John Edwards on everything.  The truth is, there have from time to time been issues on which our opinions differ.  I don't expect to find someone that I'm going to think is right 100% of the time.  I do want someone to lead our country who has integrity, good character, intelligence, and vision.  I see John Edwards as the best possible candidate I could hope for in those areas.

Over the last three years, Edwards has gained my trust and sparked my hope to such an extent that I now take the opportunity to hear him speak whenever I can.  It's refreshing and energizing to see his persistence in fighting the good fight.  So, when I got an e-mail inviting me to a book signing for his new book Home: the Blueprints of Our Lives, I went.

Having recently moved to a new home myself, the book's theme of how our homes influence our lives resonates with me.  It is a collection of essays by famous and not famous people about the homes they grew up in.  I have yet to read the book, so I won't say more than that, except to note that the proceeds of the book sales go to Habitat for Humanity and the International Rescue Committee.

Edwards spoke briefly about the book, read some excerpts, then took audience questions.  The questions were a mix of people's concerns about important issues facing us.  The answers typified the thoughtful, insightful, and honest answers that I've come to expect from John Edwards.  I won't try to recreate the dialog here.  Since I didn't have this article in mind at the time, I didn't take notes.

Of course, the very first question asked was whether he has another presidential run in mind.  Edwards said it was a definite "maybe," then repeated an enticing hint he'd recently made on the Daily Show: he told us to watch his web site, www.johnedwards.com, in the next few weeks for an exciting announcement.

I know some of you reading this will not believe what I'm telling you.  If you find my strong belief in this man's integrity to be too naïve, too trusting, too gullible perhaps, then I have a challenge for you. 

Go hear him speak in person, the very next time you have a chance.  (If you sign up for email updates on his web site, you won't miss your chance.)  When you go, really listen.  Really pay attention to what he is saying and how he is saying it.  Then, ask him a tough question.  You may or may not agree with him, but I do want you to know there are honest politicians in the world. 

Good public servants like John Edwards show us why we can and should expect and demand honesty from our political representatives and why we must not just accept the current culture of corruption in Washington.  I think if you go with an open mind to hear John Edwards, you cannot fail to be impressed.

I will close by saying that when it was my turn to get my book signed, I begged him to run.  John Edwards is the kind of leader I have wished all my life for America to have.  If he decides to run, he will have my full support from the moment of his announcement.