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First, a note to the Governor: “Before you leave, GovernorHuckabee, I’d like to thank you for coming—you’ve been a breath of fresh air,different than all the other guests and a reminder of how great our democraticprocess is. If you hadn’t shown up, I’d have been inclined to believe the guestlist was by invitation only. But you’ve reminded me that often the best guestsat the party were the least anticipated.” 

I suspect, as you might have guessed, that GovernorHuckabee’s time as a Presidential candidate is running short. I could lamentthe pending loss of this true outsider, the loss of the one candidate thatseemed to have a vision for America. But this is not the day for that. Today is a day to note that despiteSenator Obama’s tide of talk on hope and optimism it is really Mike Huckabeewho is the symbol for hope in the American political process. 

At this time last year, the onslaught of party-specificPresidential Forums began and Rudy McRomney was the talk of the nation (atleast the part of the nation that cared a year ago).  Mike Huckabee was as much an after thought as Tom Tancredo,Duncan Hunter, Sam Brownback, Tommy Thompson and Jim Gilmore.  The stage was full of men seeking aplatform to share their ideas and an opportunity to gain a foothold.  Only one of these relative unknowns wasable to do so—Mike Huckabee.  Andthis fact is good for American democracy. 

The nation says it wants change.  The nation feels Washington DC is broken. The nation feelslike it needs a new direction.  Theperpetuation of the political paradigm personified by the front-runners isunlikely to alter those perceptions. If the nation feels cynical about thefuture, billionaires and establishment candidates are not sobering.  But Mike Huckabee came along anddemonstrated first-hand that an individual with some experience, with amessage, and with the ability to communicate that message can gain access tothe presidential process.  

Moreover, his candidacy reminds us that we are important.  As much as he seized the opportunityafforded him, America responded. The nation listened to the political conversations; the nation evaluatedhis message; the nation gave him a chance; and, in the end, many Americans inWyoming, Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Michigan and Florida took timeout of their personal lives to communicate to the rest of the nation that theybelieve in this guy.  MikeHuckabee’s candidacy should remind us all of the hugely important role eachAmerican voter plays in this process. Individually, each of us can make a difference.  

It is somewhat interesting to me that despite theoverwhelming belief that change is in order, America continues to selectcandidates who are not much different than the elected officials who precededthem.  But I also believe that thisis a manifestation of our collective conservatism.  We understand that change is in order, but it also needs tobe thoughtful and without whimsy. Incremental change is the national tradition,and rightfully so. As much as I enjoy rearranging the furniture in my livingroom, it’s easy to put back and it affects no one outside my home. But inPresidential politics, four years is a long time to live with a lamp thatblocks the view of the television. Thus, despite their appeal, people that are agents of too much changeare not likely to fair well in the end.  

We are a nation that loves celebrity.  Whether in Hollywood or Washington DC,celebrity is the real currency of the powerful.  Look at the current field of realistic candidates and eachof the four of them has achieved some level of national celebrity and/or isidentified by something other than their ideas:  Barack Obama, the black candidate and famous for his speechat the 2004 DNC convention; Hillary Clinton, the woman candidate and formerFirst Lady; Mitt Romney, the Mormon candidate and savior of the 2002 Salt LakeOlympics; and John McCain, former POW and former Presidential candidate.  Even Rudy Giuliani’s initial successcan be traced to his post 9/11 celebrity. 

But I do not believe that celebrity is the best identifierof Presidential candidates, and so I look with great joy on the candidacy ofMike Huckabee, because he’s shown us all that when we participate we canincrease the pool of viable candidates to include those who eschew thewell-worn path of establishment politics and, rather, seek a new road to takethis great nation down.  GovernorHuckabee is the example all future unknowns need to feel like they have achance. The more people who we have to choose from, the better off we are.These candidates may not win, but they expand the discussion and theyinvigorate the electorate. 

Mike Huckabee’s time as a Presidential candidate may soon beover for the time being, but his candidacy is a testimony to the Americandemocratic system, to our political processes (as convoluted as they sometimesseem) and to our citizens. He has shown us that our election process is anexcellent means of selecting candidates. 

Thanks again for coming, Governor.  We’ll look forward to seeing you again. And next time, maybewe’ll be ready for you.