Campaign 2016: A Quick Post Outside the Beltway Perspective on Last Night’s Debate from a Former Campaign Political

That was one entertaining debate. A lot of sarcasm and hilarity but also some really good points made by the candidates. It had a Hollywood feel maybe brought on by the Trump factor. But I have a feeling that had something to do with the Megyn Kelly factor who was real and direct – a breath of fresh air in the world of politics. I felt like I wanted to have a cup of coffee with her when it was all over. She was definitely a star.

The other star I thought – also a woman, was Carly Fiorina, who wasn’t even on the stage for the evening debate. She rocked it in the earlier one and in the Chris Matthews interview. She’s  doesn’t just have smarts but she’s got class and the road cred to prove it. I’ve seen her speak at another conference, which just happens to be going on this week called Willow Creek Leadership Conference where she shared her heart about the things she’s been through in her life and how God’s made her stronger for them. She’s an inspiration and I’m excited to see where she goes. Don’t underestimate her. She’s legit.

A sidenote: People want your story. They don’t want talk of what you are going to do, or what you did. They want your story. They want your story not just of “how your dad was an immigrant” or that you read the Bible everyday, but what God got you through. I know it’s not traditional politics but in a broken world, people want hope beyond what the surface and politics bring.

After seeing some of the “who won and in what order” on people’s Facebook pages, I can’t say who won. But what I can say is being outside the beltway out in the #flyoverstate of Indiana – is that I have a different perspective, not from who I like but who I’m hearing people out here in the heartland like.

They like Trump. He shoots it straight and isn’t interested in rhetoric. I know a lot of friends think he’s losing big time, but no matter how crass he is? He’s not trying to put on a show. He is, yes – a show himself. But you know he’s going to shoot straight. Just don’t ignore him as a contender cause out here? He is, and it won’t surprise me if his numbers continue to shoot up. People outside Washington don’t like people in Washington so even though this guy is from New York and big money – he’s outside of it.

As far as the other candidates? No one was really the big stand-out winner, but I’m not as engaged as I used to be. I watched this more to see who could stay in the game and who was acting fake. Everyone had some good points and I’m excited to see what happens next.

One thing I will say, and expand on as the campaign goes – we need to remember one big thing. It’s the thing that was discussed briefly by a few of the candidates at the end of the debate. It’s the God factor. I was so glad to hear it being discussed by a number of the candidates who seemed to have a firm foundation in their faith.

Whatever their faith or their background in it religion, Christianity – whatever, we have to remember one thing – none of them are in charge. God is in charge. Period. End of story. None of these guys are running because they are going to fix everything. They are running because they want a shot at leading the country. If we’ve got a guy who’s got God, we’ve got a guy who has a good chance of changing the tide. But even then, he won’t fix ever broken piece of our nation. So put it into perspective. When you want to criticize a candidate, weigh the emotional power you are giving to them. I watched my Dad for years got intensely fired up (it was his passion so I understand) but getting angry at some of these candidates from the depths of your gut only makes it more stressful. So relax a little when you get to that place and go, “Okay this is just a race.”

Speaking of races, it’s a long race ahead. If you’ve run a marathon – think marathon. It’s no wonder I ran so many marathons when I worked in politics.

 There are a lot of candidates. I’m not exactly in it with skin or intensely passionate about politics like my Dad was, but I’m definitely interested in writing about this campaign from a perspective of life after presidential politics. I’ve had some distance from Dad’s death and I can watch these debates without wanting to cry. I just know he’s got a comfy seat in heaven and is at peace.

So – skin in the game or not – everybody keep your head on straight. God’s got this. Remember who’s in charge and pray that the right person in the end takes the seat.

Otherwise – pace yourselves. We’ve got a marathon to go….May the games begin…