Evaluating Candidates
As you know, our studio hosted no fewer than three Republican presidential candidates within a 22-hour period this week…you can form your own opinions by listening to the interviews; if you missed any, they’re posted at kxel.com in the audio-on-demand section.
I was personally struck by a few things, given the fact that they were back-to-back-to-back, in essence…in particular, the seriousness of purpose each had. You could not have three people from more distinct and diverse backgrounds. Each believes in the country, each believes we are currently not at our best, and each believes they have the experience and drive necessary to affect change.
At the very least, each feels they have something to offer to the current political discourse, and at the very least, they will have a chance to get their ideas into the marketplace for your consideration.
It’s easy to dismiss one or another for low initial support, or to tag someone with the “doesn’t stand a chance” label. But they each still have a message worth hearing.
Of course, you don’t undertake an effort like this—or run for any public office, for that matter—without having a healthy ego and sense of abilities. But come to think of it, would you want someone to lead you into figurative (or literal) battle who was not sure of him or herself?
Some are better on specifics than others…some are conversant on a broader base of topics. But regardless of your current preference, it would be a badly missed opportunity to fail to listen to all of them. Winning candidates often borrow ideas and concepts from others…sometimes to win over the other person’s supporters, and sometimes because they’re actually good ideas.
As I note frequently, in my mind, that’s our purpose…to bring a wide variety of voices to the table, and let you take advantage of the unique opportunity Iowans have, this front row seat to the biggest political show around.
