Copying Ideas

I need to find a better word for that. Two posts in a row about something I found on someone else's site. Hmmm....

In the meantime -- I read a statement on African Kelli's site where she pointed to an editorial on the New York Times site. The editorial's pretty powerful. I don't think its entirely true -- more accurately, I don't think its entirely provable -- but it is way more true, and provable, than not. I was gripped by their closing phrase:

We can only hope that this time, unlike 2004, American voters will have the wisdom to grant the awesome powers of the presidency to someone who has the integrity, principle and decency to use them honorably.

That gave me pause. I've mentioned on occasion that none of the mainstream Republican candidates excite me. I do like much of what Paul says, but I think he ought not to be elected because he's too severe in his approach to correcting the flaws in our democracy. I trust him; I just don't want him in power. On the Democratic side, I like Clinton, Obama, and Edwards. I wish I liked Richardson more; he's certainly qualified, but ...and I'm not sure what the 'but' is. And Kucinich is like Paul -- I like what he says, but that severity doesn't translate into 'should be elected' to me. Clinton is my favorite. I think she's the best combination of practical ability and ideological approach. Obama can certainly trump her on the latter, and approaches her on the former; Edwards can come close to equaling her on ability, and comes close on approach. Bottom line is that I'd be delighted with Clinton, and pleased with either of the other two.

But that phrase from the Times.... Can any of them be defined as having Integrity, Principle, and Decency? Certainly, I think each of them does have those qualities, but they're not defining qualities. Paul -- yes, I'd think that they define him. But not any of the major runners, on either side. Which gave me a thought that I've had before: If those are your defining qualities, can you be elected? My guess is yes... but its a long shot. What scares me is that in a way, thats the logic Bush uses. Its a permutation of 'the ends justify the means'. In this case its 'the quality that matters first is electability. After that, we'll look for someone with honor.'