A Classic Iowa Winter Day

If ever there was a demonstration of late December Iowa during a presidential elections cycle, yesterday was it.

As I stood in my office yesterday morning, Fred Thompson's bus came by on its way to bring Fred (best movie line ever - "Russians don't take a dump, son, without a plan" [Hunt for Red October]) to Smokey Row for a speaking engagement. At the same time, Mike Huckabee's bus came the other way down Main Street for a similar - and better attended - event at the Pizza Ranch.

I attended Gov. Huckabee's (most unusual presidential candidate name since Millard Fillmore) event, and the room was packed out. I liked what he had to say - he seems to be the real deal, and tracks with my p.o.v. on both social and taxation ( see fairtax.org) issues. As a matter of fact, you may see my face in some video and photos of this event, since I was just behind and to the left of the Gov.

I've given much thought to my criteria for a national leader, and here is how I filter them out:
1) Are they now, and have they historically been, pro-life? This filter catches pretty much all of the D side, and a few on the R slate.
2) Are they yet married to the bride of their youth? Now, admittedly, if we were to elect Sen. Thompson, we would have the hottest First Lady ever, but I believe that standing up for traditional families and marriage begins at home...(sen. Thompson supporters, let me know if the circumstances of his current marriage are anything other than what appears to be a "trophy wife" deal).
3) If they claim to be people of faith, does it affect how they live? Are they answering to a higher authority than themselves?
4) Have they ever run anything (state, company, etc.) of significance?
5) Do they understand what a train wreck we are headed for if we don't get entitlements under control? And, if yes, what are they going to do to make our government fiscally accountable?
6) Is the rule of law going to occur in their administration, especially when it comes to illegal immigration issues? My ancestors had to follow the rules, I don't think that is too much to ask.
7) Do they understand that simply pulling out of Iraq will not solve any problems - and will likely make the whole terrorism issue worse? Should we also pull out of Germany, where we have had a presence for over 60 years?

Note I said nothing about our standing in the world. Frankly, I couldn't care less. When countries need help, to whom do they come? I believe if we get our own house in order, how the world perceives us will be a non-issue.

There it is. More politics than you ever wanted to know, or than you even care about. I was just feeling kinda political this AM.