We won’t elect a new president in 2010, and Tennessee’s U.S. senators are in mid-terms, but there will be lots of other big elections in which our people will make important choices this year.
Already, there are many candidates running for governor, since Gov. Phil Bredesen will have served the legal limit of two consecutive terms. All seats in the U.S. House of Representatives will be subject to possible contests, since terms are for two years. There are other offices to which candidates will aspire and upon which voters will decide.
We hope there will be many highly qualified and very motivated citizens who will run idealistically, unselfishly, honestly and vigorously, really wanting to serve.
Running is not an easy thing. Candidates must expose themselves to much questioning, exhaustive personal inquisition, and potentially to some harsh criticism.
Unfortunately, it takes money to run most political campaigns. Candidates have to raise it. Interested parties have to give it. We hope no one is compromised by the process.
Already, many people are dipping their toes into the political waters, testing currents, the political temperature and other factors.
Prospective voters should want to view all candidates in great detail, and be informed about the character, philosophy and ability of each candidate. Then we should make our decisions on principles, qualifications and the prospects for good public service.
The political process can be exciting, tiresome or even boring. But the results will be important, because we will choose, for better or for worse, the people who will have great influence on national, state and local taxes and other major issues that will affect all of us for a long time to come.
Welcome to an election year!