Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a Republican, filed presidential exploratory papers, taking his initial steps toward becoming the first Mormon to occupy the White House. Shortly thereafter, Sen. Barack Obama, D.-Ill, launched his own bid to make him America's first African-American commander-in-chief. Last Saturday, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., began what has been termed as the most viable effort by a woman to capture the White House. The 2008 pool was further diversified by the announcement of the first Latino candidate, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.
The media has been inundated with questions on the American people's ability to accept major changes to the presidency.
A New York Times Dec. 10 article posed the question, "Are Americans prepared to elect an African-American or a woman president?" The January issue of Newsweek titled their piece, "2008: America's first Mormon president?" The Albuquerque Tribune headline read, "Is America Ready for 'Presidente Richardson?' " Even the U.K.'s British Broadcasting Corporation weighed in on the debate with, "Barack Obama - Could this man be America's first black president?" and on Romney, "Is America ripe for a Mormon president?"
The election of a presidential first is irrefutably significant. However, our misplaced focus on the characteristics rather than the character of these candidates may be distracting us from pivotal issues.
After only two years in the U.S. Senate, is Obama ready to be president? Clinton began her career in public office only six years ago. The same question that was asked of John F. Kennedy, the first Roman Catholic president, will be asked of Mitt Romney. Will his faith shape his presidency? Richardson's extensive experience in Washington and abroad would seem to make him a strong candidate, but can he find a solution to the deteriorating Iraqi crisis? What are each of these presidential-hopefuls' plans for immigration reform, Social Security and the health care system?
In the Hebrew Scriptures, God sent Samuel to the house of Jesse to find a new king for the people of Israel. Samuel is captivated by the external characteristics of Jesse's son Eliab, but God says to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance. . . . The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
A presidential victory for any one of these candidates will do more than change the history of our presidency; it could change the course of our nation.
Richardson said it best in a Fox News interview, "I am Hispanic, which I believe is an asset. But I'm not running as an Hispanic, I am running as an American who is proud to be Hispanic."
Will we elect a president based on their character and their ability to lead or will we allow these candidates' uniqueness to cloud our judgment? Time will tell whether Romney, Obama, Clinton or Richardson will change the norm of presidential history, or whether America will continue its tradition of electing white males from mainstream religions.
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* COREY J. HODGES writes about current events and ideas from a moral perspective. Hodges, the senior pastor of the New Pilgrim Baptist Church in Taylorsville, welcomes comments at coreyjhodges@comcast.net. You may also comment to religioneditor@sltrib.com.
