Yesterday I saw a news release scroll across my internet feed…..security was being increased at Princeton University because President Obama's niece (who plays on the women's basketball team) received some kind of threat.
Really? This is what it means to serve your country in 2015? I'm no fool and I understand that candidates walk into our election process with eyes wide open, and their immediate family better be on board. At the Presidential level, the winner gives up his/her privacy and most attempts at normalcy. (Mrs. Obama recently said she was looking forward to being able to ride in a car with a window open - she had not been able to do that for seven years. That small statement really hit me - no windows open, nowhere, no drive even if down a deserted country road???) The winner also accepts the reality that somewhere near 50% of the country's electorate will be mad and against him/her from the beginning of his/her term until the end. The winner accepts the fact that he/she will age quickly under the pressure.
But frankly this specific story made me mad. A young woman, intelligent enough to be accepted at Princeton and talented enough to make the basketball team is being threatened because someone doesn't like her uncle's political policies and decisions? Just how is this her "fault"….does The President call and talk to her for advice before meeting his advisors?
We hope to attract the best and the brightest to lead our country. But frankly, if they are the best and the brightest they may decide to run the other way - away from service, away from public office. There are other ways to make a difference. If any of my grown children, or growing grandchildren came and said "Grams I want to run for office and someday be President of the United States" my reaction would probably be anything but excited
His niece, her teammates, really? How pathetic.
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