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Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Don Green who wrote (29228)	10/1/2003 8:57:56 AM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 89467

Turning doubters into believers ________________________________ By Bob Ray Sanders Star-Telegram Staff Writer Posted on Wed, Oct. 01, 2003 dfw.com As dawn broke on a brisk morning in Arlington this week, a group of old-guard Democrats and some bright-eyed young party faithful waited to greet a man they think has what it takes to be president. There were some doubters in the crowd, a few who felt they just didn't know enough about the man to decide whether he's qualified to hold the highest office in the land. Constitutionally, of course, there are only three qualifications for the presidency: to be a "natural born citizen" of the country, be at least 35 years old and have been a resident of the United States for at least 14 years. Based on the Constitution alone, millions of Americans are "qualified" to be the chief executive of the most powerful nation in the world. But what those gathered Monday morning on the balcony and in the courtyard of the Hill Gilstrap Law Offices really wanted to know was whether the man they were about to meet was actually the most qualified of the announced presidential candidates. They also wondered whether he had a real chance of beating President George W. Bush next fall. No single attribute elevates any candidate to the top of the qualifications list. Sure, one would hope that a person running for president would be smart, but there are plenty of top graduates and Rhodes scholars that I don't even want to see tour the White House, much less live in it for four years. It would be great if the candidate had demonstrated bravery and conviction during his or her life, but again those can't be the only worthy attributes. I've known plenty of fearless and sincere fools in my life. Obviously it would help to have some personality and popularity, with the understanding that politics ought to be above charm-school rivalries and popularity contests. It is comforting to know that popular actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who may become governor of California, will never be president of the United States. A good nominee should have demonstrated quality leadership in some other role before seeking the nation's highest office, although that quality alone is not sufficient. One would hope that a future president of the United States has an understanding of economics, some insight into sociology, a clear view of the world beyond our national borders and a compassion for all humanity. The candidate for whom the Arlington crowd waited with anticipation possesses all those qualities -- Rhodes scholar, decorated war hero, professor of social science, a fighter for human rights -- and many others. It wouldn't take long for him to charm the audience on the first stop of his first Texas tour since announcing his candidacy. Retired Gen. Wesley Clark, shaking the hand of every person present, would soon have the doubters nodding their heads, saying, "I think he's the one." When one Democratic stalwart honestly told Clark that she was still evaluating the field, and him in particular, the candidate held her hand, looked her in the eyes and said, "Tell me what I have to do to convince you." After a speech in which he declared the Bush presidency a failure and reiterated his allegiance to the Democratic party, Clark took questions from the group, answering directly, insightfully and forcefully. He announced that he was calling for an independent commission to investigate the allegations of White House leaks that identified the wife of a former ambassador and Iraq war critic as a CIA employee. The leaks have created a firestorm in Washington, causing Clark and others to question the ethics and wisdom of an administration that staked its claim on morality and compassion. Judging from the reaction in Arlington, Clark's quick rise to the top of the opinion polls was no fluke. He remains to be tested as he prepares for a fast-paced, excruciating primary period. He is sure to have plenty of critics examining every position he takes on every issue, looking for the slightest faux pas, miscalculation or change of mind that could be used to discredit his candidacy. Right now, however, his campaign is gathering steam quickly, and it appears that he will be the man to beat for the Democratic nomination for president. After all, he made believers out of some doubters in Arlington. And that's saying something. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bob Ray Sanders' column appears Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. (817) 390-7775 bobray@star-telegram.com