By Michael Wood, Peachtree Corners, Ga. | Our country now has two major-party, presumptive candidates for president: Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump. Of course, counting only these two omits candidates from other parties, such as the Libertarian and Green Parties, who have little chance to win the presidency, but who may play spoiler roles by pulling votes away from the two major parties’ candidates.
Wood
These two presumptive candidates face unusually strong opposition from members of their own parties and even stronger opposition from voters outside of their own parties. Many citizens may find that they have to cast their votes for the proverbial lesser of two evils. Moreover, some Americans may decide to opt out of voting for either of the two major candidates, such as those in the “Never Trump!” camp and those who see Clinton as “Someone I could never vote for.”
Normally, I would say to these “never” voters: “However you feel about these presidential candidates, you should exercise your franchise and vote for the one you believe could govern best or, at a minimum, do the least harm.” Since 2016 is not a normal election year, I encourage the “never” voters to sit this one out, and give those of us with more centrist views a relatively greater say in who becomes our next president, even if we have to hold our noses to vote for one of them.
At this point, whether or not I “like” a particular candidate, I intend to vote for the one I find most suitable to deal with the constitutionally limited responsibilities of the office of the presidency. The Constitution prescribes that the president is the nation’s head of state and head of the federal government. As head of state, the president has the primary role in representing America to other heads of state and to their citizens, to coalitions formed by treaty, and to the United Nations. It also provides that the president is the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Armed Forces and even of state militias when they are mobilized. As Commander-in-Chief, the president leads the country in its defense and war efforts; unfortunately, some have led America into wars not declared by Congress.
I believe America should not elect as president a candidate more likely to speak for us as head of state in a brash, demeaning, and even insulting manner; who might attempt to abrogate existing treaties with other nations; and who might act, as Commander-in-Chief, so rashly that it could destabilize the existing global balance of power and create a greater likelihood of involving our soldiers, women and men, in wars. A president like this could easily offend our allies and friendly neighbors, embolden our avowed enemies, and leave our country on the defensive. And, who knows what kind of judge such a person would nominate for the vacant Supreme Court seat.
Unfortunately, we have such a candidate for president. So, I say “Don’t vote for him. Vote for her instead.”
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