And Then There Were Three

I earlier wrote that this could be America’s next potential great moment in time. The kind of moment that doesn’t come along very often. A moment of potentially transformational importance. As we look at the last three standing in America’s primaries, we can see what makes this moment so unique and so challenging.

Imagine the times we are in: The country’s confidence in its President is at one of its lowest points ever. And even more significantly, barely 1 in 5 Americans, only 22%, puts much stock in the Congress. And the rest of the world is waiting with bated breath for an America renewed. Against that background, look at the three presidential candidates left standing: a woman, the son of a black Kenyan immigrant and an old white guy who is one of America’s last true warrior heroes in national public service.

We now know, barring some wild unforeseen circumstances,

America is going to have the first woman president, the first black president or the oldest election day president that it has ever had. And as curious as the last ‘first’ would be, the first two ‘firsts’ – a woman or an African American - are incredible milestones. America remains one of the most male dominated political systems in the world to this day coming in #61 and #93 in terms of the participation of women in Congress and the cabinet respectively. And its track record with black Africans and then its African American citizens is shameful and not yet fully repaired. In fact, Obama is only the third black Senator in the last 125 years. 

Of these three candidates, McCain’s popularity originates most from his decades long record of authenticity and integrity, his thoughtful moderation and his selfless service to the country he loves so much. Although his politics are far too conservative for me, he strikes many as a man of honor whose appeal reaches a broad spectrum of Republicans, excepting the Limbaugh and born-again conservatives, and extends to many Independents and 'Reagan Democrats.' I hope he remains true to himself and does not make any serious effort to ingratiate himself to the über Limbaugh-evangelical conservatives.

Obama’s strength stems to a degree from his youthful authenticity both in terms of his ideals and values and also in terms of the ‘realness’ of his own life story. Beyond that, he is uniquely inspiring with an infectiously uplifting and hopeful charisma. There are not many politicians who can bring tears to the eyes of so many in rally after rally. In the short four years since he burst onto the national scene at the 2004 Democratic convention, he has single-handedly drawn huge numbers of diverse people into the political process. Obama is breaking many barriers that divide us, in particular of course the black – white divide. Thanks to Obama we are experiencing something in race relations that is as momentous as Emancipation and the Civil Rights movement.

Hillary is the first woman to fight her way so close to America’s political prize of prizes as millions of her peers have fought their way to triumphs in business, politics and the military. She, and her cohorts, have led and won battle after battle for gender equality in America. And she, more than any other national politician, has been able to connect to America’s newest immigrants, our Hispanic community – both legal and illegal – who are in great need of inclusion into American society.

When you look at the three left standing in this way, the unique nature and significance of this moment becomes quite clear. Americans are finally hungering for authentic leadership. Americans are again longing for America’s more inspiring values like justice, openness, dignity and hope. Much of America is even longing to realize the potential of a long overdue and powerful unity across races, colors, religions and generations and even across political lines as much as possible. And at least on the Democratic side, millions of Americans are getting re-involved in the political system.

Of course, the key momentum towards America's possibly transformational moment is emanating from the Democrats. And there we see the voters declaring, “We will not collectively choose against one of these.” 50% for Obama. 50% for Clinton. The difference in the popular vote between them on Super Tuesday was less than a miniscule 1/2 of one percent.

The voters are sending a message that would be wise to heed: it is ridiculous to be asked to choose between these two equally significant and meaningful ‘firsts.’ And you can bet your bottom dollar that 50% of America’s Dems will be mad as hell if the party bosses – the super delegates – choose for them come convention time. Unfortunately that is looking more and more likely since one candidate will have to win almost 80% of the remaining non super delegates to win the nomination.

Even though it is the Democrats driving the nation to a potential moment with destiny, many of the challenges America faces, both domestic and global, are going to need broad national consensus to be accepted and joined hands across the aisles to avoid the destructive forces of partisan power games. So the Dems have to be careful not to ‘dis’ McCain too much in the coming months.

The terrible irony of it all is that while any one of these three could end up being an acceptable to very good President depending on your political views it is only the confluence of the complimentary dynamics lining up behind McCain, Clinton and Obama that can realize the next great American moment.

As I always say, “What are the chances?!” Three candidates, each of a caliber that is rare in politics today; one written off a year ago and two representing achievements that five years ago would not have been possible. Three candidates aligned against each other but who in reality together represent America's best chance for, “United we soar, divided we falter.”

The nexus of these three candidates at this point in time makes one really stop and think. Only two questions remain. Are these three people, McCain, Clinton and Obama, going to prove themselves to be uninhibited and irreparable politicians or are they going to rise to be the leaders they so correctly say America needs and is clamoring for? And, can these three and the confidantes that have their ears think and look for once far enough out of the box to realize that this moment demands much more than politics as usual and that we the people are yearning for so much more than politics as usual.

Please don't disappoint us.