Reality Check

Sir Winston Churchill once said, “The price of greatness is responsibility.” These days, people seem to equate greatness with celebrity, bestowing leadership upon those who can act the part, smile at the cameras, and say what we want to hear. Charm and poise have replaced grit and determination. Our leaders must look good to make us feel good. Our Presidential candidates must be charismatic, handsome and dynamic, rather than honest, hard working, and sincere. In other words, we're in love with the illusion, instead of looking for substance.

We're looking for the best candidate to win the next election, and so we bank all of our money on the illusionists – TV actors turned politicians; liberal mayors seeking the limelight; and political flip-floppers hoping everyone forgets the past. We get sucked into this at each election and we end up getting the leaders we deserve: flip-flopping liberal actors.

In our rush to beat the opposition, we forget that we are laying the mantel of responsibility of this great nation upon the shoulders of one person. The price of greatness for our nation lies in the hands and heart of the candidate we elect, and we had better hope that person knows what responsibility looks like. Celebrity may charm the nation, but it cannot lead the world. In the years that lie ahead of this nation, integrity, strength, and character will be needed in the Whitehouse. Stardom will grow stale and popularity will pale. We need a leader who will lead, not one who just wants to win the race.

Teddy Roosevelt once said, “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” When we go to choose our candidate for the Whitehouse, we need to look at the hard work ethic and strong character of the person we nominate. We need to find a Churchill for our nation and a Teddy Roosevelt for our people.

There is one candidate whose military service, political track record, and vision for the future encapsulate these vital characteristics. He is not a celebrity, and his ambition is for America, not himself.

His name is Duncan Hunter.