Let’s Cool Our Jets: Prospective Presidents Need to Prove Themselves

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)

It’s beginning already, Save Jerseyans.

We knew it would. It shouldn’t, but here we go anyway.

Legions of Romney supporters are frantically searching for a political savior after Mitt Romney’s jarring Tuesday defeat. Some of us dared to think Romney could be it after his tremendous first debate performance. Clearly not. In the aftermath, the names of possible successors are lighting up conservative blog marquees.

Rubio. Christie. Ryan. Haley. Ayotte. Martinez.

All great. Likely the next standardbearer is among them. It’s still way too soon, folks! Relax. Deep breaths, please. Don’t forget that prospective presidents first need to prove themselves. This is America. We don’t anoint people. Our nation remains a meritocracy at least in form if not function for the time being.

In this zany, fast-paced digital age of instant gratification, zero perspective and 24/7 niche culture analysis, we forget that presidential candidates don’t come prepackaged. They aren’t grown in a pot or raised on a farm! Most spend decades — in some cases an entire lifetime — building up to the top job. You can’t pick one out of a hat based solely on their profile or bio…

Some certainly get there quicker than others (JFK). A few appear to stumble into it (Obama). But Obama and JFK aren’t the rule. It’s really hard work, and at the risk of showing my partisan colors for a moment, the best presidents tend to be the ones who have to work the hardest for the job. That’s true of most things in life, and our current commander-in-chief is all the negative proof you should need.

Chris Christie stumps in Ohio.

Running for high office is truly a baptism by fire. Ask anyone who has braved the process: inner fire is the first prerequisite. Famed motivational business guru Dale Carnegie once wrote about how “[f]laming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success.” Successfully winning friends and influencing people comes second. But how do we know who is up to the challenge — and whose fire burns brightest — until we’ve seen them in action? Until we quite literally feel their flame on the trail?

I need to see Marco Rubio choking down corn dogs at Iowa fairgrounds while managing to hold a full conversation with an annoying one-issue voter, and I want to watch Chris Christie, stand in the middle of a university stage, verbally ganged up on in an intense 8-way primary debate before I, Mr. Informed Primary Voter, can adequately select a suitable 45th POTUS nominee (let alone a conservative “savior”)! Leadership is forged through adversity. It doesn’t get much more “adverse” than begging for votes outside local diners on a cold, New Hampshire January morning.

I don’t want to throw too much cold water on you, Save Jerseyans. Thinking long-term is part of the grieving process (it’s halfway between denial and bargaining). This is a political blog; you can expect plenty of 2016 prognostication spread out over the next few years. Don’t worry.

U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI)

First and foremost, I don’t want to see you lose sight of the very real, immediate and important challenges at hand. Saving Jersey in Election 2013 comes to mind. Both nationally and here at home, Republicans desperately need to grow the tent to include Hispanic voters and young women who made the difference in 2012. You and I know what to do, but it won’t be easy after many years of our leadership going about it in the wrong way.

We also need to keep a keen eye on the Obama Administration. I’m not quite sure how being the first president ever elected to a second term with dramatically less support than your first election entitles you to a mandate (a roughly 10 million vote drop is the most recent figure versus his 2008 showing); I’m equally sure, however, that the ever-arrogant Obama team will interpret their close win as a license to steal. Overreach is imminent. Each of you needs to be a watch dog. And don’t forget midterms coming up in 2014…

Those are obviously only a few action items. More to come. You know what to do. Get busy TODAY expanding the cause. Spread the limited government gospel. We need less pundits and more allies in the trenches. Our next great leader is out there right now, somewhere, building his or her own movement. He/she will become apparent when the time is right and they’ve put in the right amount of work.

Don’t force it today or you’ll regret it tomorrow.

 

Matt Rooney
About Matt Rooney 8405 Articles
MATT ROONEY is SaveJersey.com's founder and editor-in-chief, a practicing New Jersey attorney, and the host of 'The Matt Rooney Show' on 1210 WPHT every Sunday evening from 7-10PM EST.

6 Comments

  1. You know "Christie" is not on that list anymore. Right or wrong he is taking the blame from people who have very long memories and considerable influence.

  2. Very well put, yet I am very concerned on where our country is headed. And I thank the good Lord I have him in my life, surely He Will have the last say!

  3. Chris Christie THE Greatest Governor in U.S. History has shown incredibly great Leadership during times of disaster. He put his people ahead of politics, which is above and beyond the call of duty in politics these days.

    What we saw was bipartisan effort. Americans of both parties coming together to help the people.

    That's the kind of leader who we need to be elected in 2016. America's Governor Chris Christie is it.

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