Cowboy Boots and Common Folk

Posted by: Ryan Sanders on April 9, 2008 Hot Issues •

Think you’re ready to make your own bid for the presidency?

Before you say yes, think on this. While I’m no strategist for a political party, for several years now I’ve been interested in what it takes to live and make decisions in the White House in the District of Columbia. If you were a fan like I was of the television series The West Wing, you got a taste of what is necessary to become president.

In the car the other day, I flipped on the radio. I didn’t listen long until an interesting piece came on the air regarding what the next person to make it to the White House would have to do in each state across the nation.

We’ve all seen candidates’ apparel, when in Rhode Island, they don the ‘Rhode Island’ sweater. In Texas, you’ll notice cowboy boots or hats worn by the candidate. With this idea is the attempt to appeal to the common man or woman. Yes, whether you’re from Yale or Harvard, the candidate must get down and visit the ‘commoners’ from time to time.

With Pennsylvania coming up in the Democratic campaign, candidates have had to renew their zeal for all things Philly. Obama made a remark about having goat cheese with his Philly-cheese steak, a big cultural no-no apparently. And Clinton, while confident in her bowling skills after Obama’s run of gutter balls days earlier, was also sure to get the Rocky metaphors out as good as any candidate.

It’s not that all of this is bad. I think the next president should be able to appeal to the common person. Who doesn’t want to be able to sit down with the president and be able to talk with him or her, and be comfortable doing so?

Here’s my question, how would you do it? Would you be as overt or a little less up front than the current candidates? The fact is, you can watch all The West Wing episodes, as I have, and still have only a touch of an idea of what the candidates are going through in attempting to appeal to EVERYONE.

This is no small task; and unless something changes, Clinton, McCain, or Obama will be our next president. Let’s pray for all three of them today. I think I have my vote ready. But the fact is, I don’t want any of the three remaining candidates, to be wearing cowboy boots with the wrong motives. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:33, “Just as I also try to please all people in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many” (HCSB).

I want the next president, at the very least, to be genuine, not seeking their own profit. This will be difficult for them to live out, but refreshing for us to see. We’ll need to keep watching and watch closely. My point is, cowboy boots are cool and very fashionable. What other reasons are there to wear them?

Next entry: Voter Generation Gap Previous entry: Moral Fabric

Comments

Thanks,Ryan. This is an excellent article which
encourages us to remain engaged in the political process. Praying for all the candidates is certainly a meaningful way to be involved. Voting our values is important.
Your insight and advice is appreciated.

By the way, I’m a native Texan, so I think wearing cowboy boots is okay. Boots make one appear to be two or three inches taller than one actually is. That may be one reason people enjoy wearing them. Perhaps a trip to several
farms and ranches might help one understand why they might be preferable to other footwear.

So Long, ‘Til We Meet Again!
Keep up the good work!

Posted by Jo Ann Butler on April 9, 2008.