The Reluctant President and the Reluctant Candidate

There has been a lot of talk lately about comments that presidential candidate Fred Thompson made concerning his bid for the White House. I have been a vocal critic of Fred’s lack of enthusiasm and in a recent interview he addressed the “fire in the belly” issue. He said,

…I am not consumed by personal ambition. I will not be devastated if I don’t do it. I want the people to have the best president that they can have.

When this talk first started, it didn’t originate with me. There were a lot of people around the country both directly and through polls, liked the idea of me stepping up. And of course, you always look better at a distance, I guess.

But most of those people are still there and think its a good idea. But I approached it from the standpoint of a deal. A kind of a marriage. If one side of a marriage has to be really talked into the marriage, it probably ain’t going to be a very good deal for either one of them. But if you mutually think that this is a good thing. In this case, if you think this is a good thing for the country, then you have an opportunity to do some wonderful things together.

I’m offering myself up. I’m saying that I have the background, the capability, and the concern to do this and I’m doing it for the right reasons. But I’m not particularly interested in running for president, but I think I’d make a good president.

This made me sit back and think for a second. It was a little unusual. It was…candor.

And then I thought about another person in the history of the greatest country in the history of man. This man resigned his post when everyone thought he would be taking over as head of state. He not only resigned, but he told people he wasn’t going to be running for any government positions. People were stunned. It was honestly staggering that this man would not be interested in ruling. When he resigned, the King of England called him the “greatest man alive.”

He then went back to his home to live out his days, but was called for and once again served his country. Because of his help, state after state responded positively to a new Constitution. Following the creation of the Constitution, electors in each state cast ballots for the office of the president. While it was widely suspected he would win the election, he was reluctant. His friends and family responded by reminding him he did not campaign for this position and did not seek the office. He was chosen by the people.

When the ballots were finally counted on April 6, 1789, it was official. He had won. He had not sought the office of the president, but George Washington accepted the position and said, “I cannot give a greater evidence of my sensibility for the honor my fellow citizens have done me, than by accepting the appointment.” Later, when writing in his personal journal, he did not write about winning an election, but of his need to respect and serve ‘my country in obedience to its call.’

After recalling our first reluctant president, and comparing his sentiments to Senator Thompson’s, I came to the conclusion that I owe Fred an apology. I am sorry for wanting you to be something you are not. I am sorry for demanding that you fit the modern mold of a presidential candidate. While I agreed with a majority of his positions, I wanted Fred to put on a better show. I’m sorry for wanting a lot of flashy packaging instead of being satisfied with a quality product.

Having reflected on the first reluctant president, and reading Fred’s comments above, there is only one thing left to do.

I fully support Fred Thompson for president of the United States of America.

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