Hi all,
Huntsman dropped out (said so) and endorsed Romney (told ya). Of the ones left, Perry was most likely to be the big man and drop (predicted) allowing Newt to rise (he did). Meanwhile Santorum has no chance (called it) with a poor showing post Iowa, but has too much ego to bow out gracefully (right again) and will instead drag it out and in doing so, help Romney (nailed it).
To paraphrase my Father, "Don't go away mad Rick, just go away."
You think I'm bragging.
Truth is, I hate being right.
After South Carolina, Romney's "aura of invincibility" is noticeably dimmer. Will it be enough? This time, I don't know.
Yes, I know you are shocked.
What I do know is I was tired of the well-paid-for myth that is Romney's "electability". Romney just discovered that electability isn't money, it isn't power, and it isn't a slick campaign. South Carolina proved that convincingly.
So what is electability? Well James Madison scribed, in the Constitution, that to be elected President you must:
Be a native-born U.S. citizen
Have lived in the United States for at least 14 years
Be at least 35 years of age
Thats about it.
The citizen thing and living here make sense from a founder's perspective -- we get it. But I do want to examine the requirement to be 35 years old.
Hang on, I'm getting there and yes, you are getting a History lesson.
(ahem)
The average lifespan in 1776 was 33 to 35 years old (depending on the source you cite). This of course did not have as smooth a bell curve as we have today. Deadly weather, conflict with tribes, disease, nutrition and the like did not affect all equally, and the whole measurement is of course horribly tilted by the death of the young in the wars. Therefore, the distribution had far more outliers in both directions. Many died younger, many lived into their late 40s. Another group lived well beyond their 50s, though those were mostly the well-off. To try to compare to some modern equivalence is highly subjective but a good number to use for conversation would be "1776's 35 years of age equates to somewhere between mid 50s to early 60s", at least in modern 2012 parlance.
So why did the founder's care?
Think of a teenager convinced he/she "knows everything". We all went through that stage. Some believe there is likewise a 3rd stage, even more compelling though subtle, where tomorrow for another becomes more important than today for yourself. Around that age you left behind the passions of youth and began to gain wisdom. You could think beyond this moment with foresight and a broader understanding of the world instead of vanity in defense of your own unlearned "rightness". You would start to consider the fate of your grandchildren and what you are leaving behind for generations yet unborn. You could care about the future for its own sake, as you would have less investment in your own.
This is what the founders wanted in a President, and when you look at Obama's 47 year old "me" Presidency, you understand why.
For some the 3rd state of grace comes earlier than the age the founders wanted, and we say those people are wise beyond their years. For some it comes later, and we speak of how that person became great "late in life". For some it never comes at all, and we call them old fools.
When Gingrich spoke in his South Carolina victory speech about his grandchildren and the America they would inherit, I was struck by the contrast to his earlier indiscretions and the foresight of the founders. I was amazed at how yet another man became great late in life, and how fortunate it happened when we needed it. Because no matter who wins, Gingrich pulled the conversation to where it needed to be -- about our grandchildren and the world we leave behind.
Just as the authors of our Constitution, Madison, Jefferson, et al, intended.
Way to go guys. Way to go.
See you next week!
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