As everyone involved with this Chamber knows, and is probably tired of hearing, we neither endorse candidates nor political parties. We are passionately non-partisan but equally passionate in support of the issues we endorse. Throughout recent history, Chamber leadership has taken great pride in pointing out that, at one time or another; we have managed to get cross-ways with the all of Vermont’s political parties. We must be doing something right! That said, we are students of government and students of what the public wants in its political leaders. One thing stands clear. Throughout our state’s and country’s history, we have lionized political figures that were not afraid to tackle tough issues, to take unpopular positions that were in the public’s interest and to use the bully pulpit to rally both the support and collective conscience of our citizens. Whether we agreed with their politics or policies, the best elements of the American spirit came to be embodied in the strength of leaders like Teddy Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, FDR, Kennedy, Johnson, and Reagan. Vermont’s political history is likewise populated with governors who did not shrink from leadership, and chose to worry instead about the next election cycle

So, I have been struck by the discordant noise that is surrounding the recent efforts of President Obama. When he took office, our country faced a war without end in Iraq, a war in Afghanistan eerily reminiscent of the forgotten war in Korea, a US economy on the brink of meltdown with the world economy tethered to it, favorability ratings for politicians at historic lows, and a nation where the chasm between the “have’s” and “have not’s” was still illuminated by the catastrophe known as Katrina. Agree with his particular strategies or not, why is it that we seem to want this President to go slow? Pundits say that he is trying to do too much too soon; that he should have a more singular focus; that the issues are too complex to be dealt with in multiples. I don’t know if I agree. There is a lot that concerns me too. For example, I think it was really nice to use my tax dollars to buy my neighbor a car because their old minivan (that ran really well and had no rust) was a “clunker”. However, at the end of the proverbial day, I would much rather see my leader actually lead than whine about how tough things are. I would rather see my leader try some novel approaches than sit back and wait for things to get better. I would rather see my leader have the guts try and fail than to sit timidly on the sideline taking public opinion polls.

What do you think?