LETTER: The presidential primary: an opportunity to change

What is a plan without a leader to execute it? This seems to be the definitive question as Americans inch closer and closer to the presidential primary season. Candidate after candidate proclaims the superiority of his or her “plan” to bring America out of Iraq, mend social security and fix the educational system. Yet when has one president’s plan ever brought about significant change?

Our country has created a Reconstruction and a New Deal, a Great Society and a New Frontier, but what transcends these epic time periods of momentous change is the leadership. The success of these progressive shifts in American government was manifested in the ability of the time periods’ respective presidents to lead the American people toward a collective vision Republicans and Democrats, the wealthy and the impoverished, could together embrace.

Today we have reached another crossroads in American history. The time has come for Americans to change the direction of this nation, restore the integrity of the ideals for which we established these United States and destroy the lines that divide the red from the blue. Let the colors bleed together to form a brilliant shade of purple that screams unity, not partition.

But first, we have the responsibility to choose a leader, not a politician, to guide our nation in that direction. While detailed plans to remedy the issues that stand in our way are inherently important, our president must be equally able to reconcile the inevitable disparity in suggested solutions that will surely exist. This requires more than political experience; it requires vision and pragmatism. No one person’s plan can cure our problems. It will have to be America’s plan: one not associated with the so-called brilliance of one man or woman, but with the collective vision of a society that desires change.

So, as we look at potential candidates, I urge all those who will be able to vote come primary season to focus on the candidate who will bring efficiency to a national gridlock in Washington that seems allergic to progress. Focus on the candidate who has not been tainted by the corruption of Washington for the past 20 years and will bring a fresh, youthful vibrancy to our government. Focus on the candidate who thrives on the potential of tomorrow, instead of dwelling on the failures of yesterday. When you do, you will see that this candidate is but one man, Barack Obama.

Though I know the decision is yours, and I have nothing but utmost respect for whomever you chose, I encourage every person to get involved and learn about all of the candidates who may potentially run this country a year from now. I am confident that you will draw these same conclusions, for Obama’s message and America’s message are one in the same: Hope for change. Get involved, get fired up and get excited, because every generation has one opportunity to change the world and quell the evils that taint it. For our generation, the time is now.

Patrick Doyle

CAS ’11