President Obama (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)It was a big surprise when Barack Obama, a newcomer to the national political stage, was nominated for president in 2008 - and the American people elected him! But it is no surprise that Obama has announced he is seeking re-election.
The question, of course, is whether American voters will make a second mistake by returning him to the White House.
Of course, we don't know who will be running for president against Obama in 2012. But a majority of voters, viewing his unsteady, liberal performance thus far, should decide that next time, we want neither Obama nor just "anybody but Obama." We should insist upon selecting the best and the brightest, the wisest and soundest in principle, to be next our president.
Will we?
In the past, we have elected some presidents who performed tremendously well. Sadly, we should admit that we have elected some presidents (need we name them?) who were not good choices for the United States and the American people.
Was Obama's election a vote of confidence in him - or just a rejection of "the other fellow," moderate Republican Sen. John McCain? Whatever it was, a recent Quinnipiac University poll puts Obama's job approval rating at only 42 percent.
There is no clear GOP front-runner so far this time around, but all Americans should examine the potential candidates carefully, analyze their principles and judgment, nominate an excellent Democrat and an excellent Republican - then elect the better one!
Being president is a huge responsibility. Who could claim to be fully qualified and "up to the job"? No one, really. But shouldn't we do a much better job in choosing our presidential nominees?
We don't desire to demean any of those who have aspired in the past, or who aspire now, to be our nation's leader. But for better or worse, the consequences of whom we select as president are usually huge.
So "just anyone" won't do! Let's elect a president in 2012 who will prove to be the soundest in character, philosophy, wisdom, judgment, ability and devotion to our Constitution.
Do we deserve one like that? That's debatable. But we certainly need the best, or we will suffer the consequences!