President Trump?

One of my favorite bloggers, Cartinal Martini, came across an interesting news item: New York's "Independence Party" has launced a campaign to draft Donald Trump for the 2008 Presidential race as a third-party candidate. Knowing that I admire Mr. Trump, Cardinal Martini asked if I would vote for him.

Like a lot of people in the United States today, I'm not particularly drawn to either the Republican or Democratic party. Political discourse has become increasingly divisive and confrontational, creating the need for fresh voices with new ideas that reach across the liberal/conservative "divide." I feel this country would benefit from several additional major political parties that express a wider range of viewpoints on crucial domestic and foreign policy issues.

However, in order to move beyond the two-party system, the limited political choices it offers, and the divisiveness it creates, we can't rely on "celebrity" candidates like Mr. Trump. He may enjoy name recognition and a reputation for "getting things done" in the business world, but that doesn't mean he can manage the affairs of the world's most powerful nation. He would have to offer a broad policy vision with specific, concrete goals in order to garner my support.

In California, voters were similarly entranced a few years ago with another celebrity from outside the political system: Arnold Schwarzenegger. Mr. Schwarzenegger has proven to be a disappointment as my state's Governor. As a nation, we can't take a similar risk by supporting Mr. Trump as our next President simply because we've seen him on television.