The Race

“Who am I? Why am I here?”

Vice Admiral James Stockdale’s opening line during the Vice Presidential Debates in 1992.

I’ve used that quote for many years, in various circumstances. It’s probably the best question anyone can ask of themselves. Admiral Stockdale went down in very cordial flames in the course of that debate, for several reasons. One was that his hearing aide wasn’t on at times. He had trouble standing for long periods of time, due to leg injuries he suffered in Vietnam. The main reason he didn’t do well was that he wasn’t a politician. Neither he, nor his running mate Ross Perot, had any hands-on experience running for office, much less holding it. By the close of the debate, Stockdale was lampooned as a tottering old war horse that was clearly out of his depth. It’s hard to argue that analysis, based on how the debate turned out. He was much more than that, and it saddens me that most people won’t remember him for anything else.

The quote Stockdale led with was in reference to the age old question of “who WE are”, as the second part pleads for an answer of “why ARE WE here”. As a philosophy scholar, Stockdale lived his life studying, and debating, those very questions. Yes, I said philosophy scholar. He’d written books on the subject and taught at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He’d been president of the Naval War College before retiring from the Navy with thirty-four years of service. He presided over The Citadel for a few years as well. Seven and a half years of his service were spent in North Vietnamese POW camps, following the downing of his A-4 Skyhawk during a mission over the same country. As the senior officer at the Hanoi Hilton, he organized the men, did all he could to keep them alive and hopefull, and endured more pain and hardship than we can imagine. In 1976 he was awarded the Medal Of Honor. There is so much more to this man than a soundbite or one failed debate could reveal. Yet, that is what most folks remember him for. Life isn’t fair. I believe Vice Admiral Stockdale would agree.

The political landscape we see coming with each passing day makes me long for someone like Stockdale. A truly honest, well meaning and kind person who wants to find answers. Not a career politician, jockeying for power and party placement, or a multi-billionaire, wanna be king, or oligarch. I want to believe in someone’s character again, to have passion for an individual with a soul. I want to see someone lifted up to the office of the people because we know they will do what is right, good and moral. I want to know that the person has endured hardships, learned how to better themselves, and has the courage to see our nations people through the same. I’d like to see humility and character make a comeback, and conversations replace debate. We need someone we would feel comfortable leaving our children with, because, my friends, that’s exactly what we’re doing. I wouldn’t trust either of the current candidates to watch my dogs.

We limit our solutions politically to two parties, which is a sad state of affairs. I see moderation as a thing of the past, with radicals from the left and the right being so focused on winning office, or attacking their rivals, that no one has time to govern. Independents are hopeless causes, pushed out of the system with full force of intent. I pine for the person running for office that can actually stand for something good. Someone I can trust. I’d vote for James Stockdale, were he alive and running. Even in his present state, he’s a better man than what I see on the probable ticket.

God Bless America. Y’all pray, now.