It’s election night as I write this, and it just struck me that it could be a prophetic coincidence that elections follow Halloween so closely. This year may be even more interesting because November 2^nd is also known in Mexico as "las Dias de la Muerte", the day of the dead! Of course at this hour I have no idea of how our local elections have turned out, but my thoughts have turned to politics.

I think back to those national elections where, after voting, I sat excitedly awake most of the night, not wanting to miss "my" candidates victory speech, and the opponents concession speech. I’ve backed some winners that have become losers, and some losers that are still winners in my mind, but generally I’ve been disappointed in the transition that many people have made going from candidate to elected official. We have much yet to learn from our psychologist type friends about this transition, and if we listen to them, I know it will help us pick better candidates in the future.

Speaking of candidates…. Gee whiz, what a choice we have lining up so far for the 2000 presidential race! Give me a break. I don’t know about you, but I’m already soooo tired of speeches about who grew up in the most humble surroundings, who is now "most in-touch" with the problems of the common man…. Who "deserves" the support of the American people, who has THE plan for saving social security, and so on and so on. We’ve got candidates who are great fundraisers (put them to work on the budget!). Candidates who can beat up the next guy (our next Secretary of Defense?). Candidates whose wealth approaches the ridiculous (Secretary of the Treasury?). There are even several candidates whose caricatures would rival those of Richard Nixon or Lyndon Johnson!

What I don’t see, so far, are any candidates that I would feel comfortable in voting for. What I am waiting on is someone who meets my "three C’s" standard. Capability, Compassion, and Compromise. I’ve got to feel confident that my vote goes for a candidate that is REALLY capable of handling the job, the whole job. Secondly, "my" candidate must have true compassion for ALL citizens. Finally, and most importantly, my ideal candidate must be a master in the art of compromise. A set of beliefs, to be sure, but an understanding of those who have valid opposing views, and the ability to come to workable agreements on those issues that divide us. I long ago grew tired of candidates and officials who are so single-minded that they lack any understanding of people who don’t agree with their particular, sometime peculiar "truths."

I think it takes a team to run this country. After all my complaining, I feel comfortable in "endorsing" a team I think would do this country wonders. People who meet my standards. Sadly, though, it seems that neither of my team members is interested in running for office. Wouldn’t it be something though, to see Sam Nunn and General Colin Powell on the same podium asking for my vote? Keep dreaming and I’ll see ya next week!