Since it's Easter weekend, I thought I would dedicate my Sunday column to what I feel is the most inspiring political story of the year. Through all the cynicism of politics there are some great stories out there, especially in this year's presidential race.
Whether you like Hillary Clinton or not, (and there are plenty of both), there is inspiration in her story for many of us. Even if she does not win the nomination, the seriousness of her campaign says a woman can now compete for and win the highest office in the land. To our mothers, sisters, daughters and granddaughters, that is a powerful message. Just as Sandra Day O'Connor broke the glass ceiling at the Supreme Court, Sen. Clinton has done the same for women seeking to be President, whether she makes it or not. The campaign itself was groundbreaking.
John McCain has an inspiring tale for us, too. A year ago many polls and pundits had him in dead last place. Whether you support the war in Iraq or not, (and there are plenty of both), McCain certainly showed guts by backing an unpopular President and his troop surge. Even many critics now agree the surge is working. McCain, a dark horse, is now the GOP nominee. Perhaps it was the courage from his 5 1/2 years as a POW in Vietnam that is the basis for his political backbone. Even without his modern political heroics, McCain's tale of military survival will be inspiring till the end of time, whether he becomes President or not.
Certainly when people talk of inspiration this year, the name Barack Obama is on the list, too. A year ago, many said Obama could be a viable presidential candidate "some day, but not now." A year later he's on the verge of being the first black, multi-racial American to be nominated. His stirring speeches about hope and unity have at times driven his supporters into frenzy. His story of a white mother and a black father,and growing up in racially divisive America is inspiring, too. Whether you like Obama or not, (and there are plenty of both), his improbable rise to the top of American politics is inspiring, even if he doesn't become President. Millions of minority kids can now say "I can have that dream too! The pursuit of the White House is mine, if I want it!"So which is my choice for the MOST inspiring story of the year in politics? None of the above!
Instead, my choice is Gov. David Paterson (D-NY). Be honest now, did anyone know who he was two weeks ago? I'm a political junkie and I never heard of him. I do this for a living, and he wasn't even on my radar screen.But the hooker scandal that leveled now former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer has brought Paterson to power. Spitzer, who certainly would have been a viable presidential candidate from 2012 through at least 2028, will now be nothing more than an obscure question in future versions of "Trivial Pursuit."
Paterson, on the other hand, is a great story of inspiration. Yes, he's the first black Governor of New York, but not in the nation. African-Americans now have a significant seat at the table of American politics, so that's not the most inspiring thing about him.
What is most inspiring is the fact that he is legally blind. The disabled are still shunned in many quarters of this nation. In fact over 70% of disabled adults are unemployed, even though many want to work and are able. So for a blind man to rise to the top job in one of our largest states is truly inspiring.
Now, he's not the first in this category. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was also once the Governor of New York, and he was disabled, too. But in his days there and in the White House, he was rarely-- if ever- depicted in his wheelchair. In fact, the people who designed the FDR memorial in Washington, DC, did not show him in a wheelchair, until activists for the disabled spoke up loudly.
That was just a few years ago! So we've come to the point in American politics where you can win if you're black and you can win if you're a woman, but we still try to hide those with disabilities.
Not any more! What FDR and Sens. Dan Inouye, Bob Dole and Max Cleland did for those disabled by war, David Paterson has now done for the blind.
You see, he and others might argue the term "disabled" to begin with. Yes, they are challenged by a physical issue, and maybe even impaired, but they are not handicapped or disabled.
To the thousands of people who read their newspapers in braille, Gov. David Paterson is the most inspiring American political story of 2008.
It's a wonderful story any day, but particularly meaningful this Easter season!
I'll be covering politics in Florida all week. Check back at http://www.markcurtismedia.blogspot.com/
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