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"People want leadership, Mr. President, and in the absence of genuine leadership, they'll listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone. They want leadership. They're so thirsty for it they'll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there's no water, they'll drink the sand."
This line spoken by the character of Lewis Rothschild, portrayed by Michael J. Fox in "The American President," has resonated with me at various points over the years, and especially as I've been more surrounded by those who want to be considered as our leaders.
Rothschild is taking to task President Andrew Shepherd, played by Michael Douglas, for what he perceived as a lack of leadership resulting in the climb in the polls by Shepherd's political opponent.
Shepherd responds with this stinger, "Lewis, we've had presidents who were beloved, who couldn't find a coherent sentence with two hands and a flashlight. People don't drink the sand because they're thirsty. They drink the sand because they don't know the difference."
They're fictional characters, of course, with Hollywood writers composing their narrative, but the words have run through my head on more than one occasion lately, as we approach West Virginia's primary election and get deeper into our current political season.
We, as a people, have a tendency to complain about the actions of our elected officials and the direction they take our country. As pointed out in the movie, we have a right to question the actions and the motives behind them. But, we also must remember that we, as a voting populace, ultimately have the responsibility.
We are the ones who put those men and women into the seats of power they occupy, and, through the election process, we decide whether they stay or go.
We are ever bombarded by campaign rhetoric, through personal appearances, commercials, mailers and more from candidates and supporting organizations.
They tell us how conservative or liberal a candidate is, comparing them to others in the field, as well as whether current or former politicians are supporting their campaigns. They make unflattering claims about their opponents.
We, as the audience, tend to lap it all up, too. We seek out the charisma and the grandstanding nature of the campaign and see that as good leadership. We see mocking and name-calling as a sign of strength.
How much are we actually paying attention to what is being said, though? For that matter, are we looking at what is not being said? Are we voting for people because their policy plans actually fall in line with what we believe, or is it because of something else? Is it because of the letter they put next to their name? Let's face it, for some candidates, that changes as frequently as the wind. Is it because their campaign works to make us afraid of the other option? Is it something they've done to grab your attention as if a shiny new toy for a child?
Early voting in West Virginia begins Wednesday, with our primary election day on May 14. That gives us a couple of weeks to consider what it is about the candidates appearing on our ballots and whether they have truly earned our support to become our elected leaders.
Don't just openly believe what the campaign narratives are telling you. Look at things with your own eyes. Do your research. Many of those on the ballot previously have served in an elected office. See how they have voted on a variety of issues. Do they stand behind their previous actions, or do they change things up depending on what they think they can get out of it?
Not everyone is truly a leader. Not everyone has the best interest of the people in their hearts. Not everyone deserves to be put into such a position.
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @CHowellWDT)