“The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.”  –Abraham Lincoln

As many of you know, I’m a political junkie at heart.  This past year I have been able to rekindle some of this passion in local politics, which has also led to a renewed interest in statewide politics.  To that end, this afternoon, I took an hour-long drive to Grass Valley to confirm my suspicion that there is still integrity left in the Republican Party.  Not only was my suspicion confirmed, I was inspired.  Tom Campbell is the only Republican candidate for governor of California willing to accept the inevitable: that higher taxes, as a temporary fix, are necessary for long term reform.  The other Republicans seem to think that by saying they’re against new taxes, somehow that will make the problem go away.  They fail to offer any solutions to make up the deficit.  Tom Campbell accepts the inevitable, and actually says it out loud, even though it isn’t popular.  He is a pragmatist and a realist. He is also the only candidate to actually put forth a plan and ideas about how to fix California going forward.  He’s the only candidate to have balanced the California budget.  He recognizes that running a state is not the same as running a company because, well, there are 120 people in the building that can put a stop to your mandates.  He knows “my way or the highway” doesn’t work in state government.  Tom Campbell has the experience required to guide California through the tumultuous years ahead.  I want a leader who will tell me the truth, even if it is something I don’t want to hear.  That, in essence, is what makes great leaders.

Tom is taking a “new” approach: he’s relying on word of mouth in the early stages to get his campaign going.  Heaven forbid a candidate actually sit with people and listen to ideas, but that’s exactly what he’s doing.  (In golden times, I think this was called a “grassroots campaign,” but it’s been so long since a Republican for statewide office tried it, it might not be recognized as such.)  It is what he does on his website.  If you scroll through some of the comments, you can see his actual responses to people who have posted there.

As a disclaimer, I have been a big fan of Tom Campbell since I was in college and he ran for Senate in 1992.  I’ve followed his career since then, and have continued to be impressed with his integrity and ability to get things done.  After the past few years, it is time for responsible leadership in Sacramento.  I believe Tom Campbell is the man to do it.  To get more information about what I’m rambling about, go to www.campbell.org.  Post a question or a comment.  He’ll probably answer it.