What’s with all the bad candidates?
Sorry. That sounds harsher than I intend it to.
I’m not trying to be disrespectful. I simply don’t believe all people were created to do all things. Hence, not everyone is called to run for elected office. And judging by some of the candidates who continue to emerge, it seems clear that many people have never seriously contemplated that possibility.
An elected public servant should be humble and others-focused, guided by a genuine commitment to serve rather than to be served. They should be rational rather than erratic, able to separate facts from feelings so their decisions are grounded in reality rather than impulse. Strong communication skills matter — not necessarily eloquence — along with discernment, basic manners, and a consistently respectful approach to colleagues and constituents alike.
They should possess solid financial and business acumen, love the state or institution they represent, and understand both its needs and its limitations. A good leader knows when to speak and when to remain silent, is willing to admit what they do not know — recognizing they can’t know everything — and remains always open to learning. Above all, politically, they should strive to be nonpartisan in judgment, able to disagree without becoming disagreeable, and committed to the common good over personal, financial, political or political party gain.
Ok. Sure. That may sound idealistic, but my strong sense is these are reasonable expectations for people seeking positions of extraordinary responsibility.
And yet, as we review the resumes of candidates across the country — meaning these are not hypothetical — people currently seeking public office include persons who:
- Believe 9/11 attacks were an “inside job”
- Claim the existence of six biological sexes
- Did not disclose personal investments with government contracts
- Engaged in infidelity with no expressed remorse
- Follow porn stars and prostitutes on social media
- Have fired whistleblowers
- Have been charged with fraud
- Have been associated with Nazi symbolism
- Sent sexually explicit messages
- Were physically rough with women
- Were previously impeached
- Were absent during an ongoing emergency
Those same candidates have also been sadly frequent and fluent in their derogatory comments, specifically making disparaging remarks about LGBTQ+ individuals, rural residents, white Americans, and victims of sexual assault.
And, of course, derogatory comments about anyone who doesn’t support their candidacy.
Let me be clear: the above list is sadly an equal compilation of current Democrat and Republican behavior.
So let’s return to this idea of bad candidates. Again, my intent is not to be disrespectful. I simply think many of the wrong people are running for office. Perhaps more so, I think we’ve become far too willing to accept them.
It leaves me with three primary thoughts…
First, our recent presidents—regardless of party—have demonstrated significant deficiencies in either character, competence, or both. As a result, the bar has been obviously lowered. What once would have been disqualifying now barely registers. Behaviors that would have ended political careers a generation ago are excused, rationalized, or ignored so long as the candidate wears the right jersey.
Second, I wonder whether we—as voters, alongside the media and the money that fuels modern politics—have made public service so unattractive that many of the best candidates simply stay away. Why would a person of integrity, humility, and admirable selflessness willingly subject themselves and their family to the spectacle politics has become? The constant outrage, endless scrutiny, personal attacks, and tribal warfare often seem designed to repel exactly the kind of people we most need.
And third, a lot of people have yet to realize that they were not created to do all things. Ambition is not qualification. Desire is not calling. Confidence is not competence. Wanting power does not mean one should have it.
Perhaps the more troubling question is not why so many questionable candidates keep running, but rather: why do so many of us keep rewarding them?
Not being “the other guy” is not enough.
Until we start expecting more from our leaders — more character, competence, humility, and honesty — we are likely to continually find ourselves dissatisfied with the options available, as ultimately, politicians rise or fall to the level that we are willing to tolerate.
Respectfully,
AR