Leadership Lost and Found

Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and maybe nonvoters, too, mourn this week the death of Senator John McCain of Arizona, war hero and statesman. Through the media we find ourselves reliving moments we all remember where Senator McCain stood apart as he stood up for the ideals of the country he loved so much. Most of us, even if we differed with him on policy matters, can agree that McCain was a leader for whom we can be grateful, of whom we can be proud, because he not only served his country honorably, but he represented America at its best.

Moving tributes to McCain from journalists, historians, and politicians on both sides of the aisle remind me of the death of Ted Kennedy, ironically on the same date, and by the same cause, in 2009. The two men were friends, and each has been memorialized as a “lion of the Senate.”

Are we still producing leaders like McCain and Kennedy? If so, who are the ones we will lionize 10 years from today? Where do they come from? Is leadership a gift they’re born with, or do we, as citizens, play a part in nurturing them?

I’m going with that last nugget. I remember the night back in 2004 when Barack Obama spoke at the Democratic National Convention and declared. “…there is not a liberal America and a conservative America — there is the United States of America.” It was obvious to many people that this man was loaded with talent, patriotism, and purpose. None of that would have made him the leader he became if we hadn’t elected him president. Put a person of talent in the proper arena and, with a little time, greatness can blossom. 

It makes a strong case against term limits, which could whisk away burgeoning leadership exactly when it is needed most. Term limits, as a half-baked notion, is right up there with the slander that all politicians are crooked, so we should throw the bums out and never elect another one to office. If our recent history hasn’t cured you of that idea, I take it you’re hiring a plumber for your next colonoscopy. Oh, sorry. I don’t mean to be a pain in the— 

As for diversifying our leadership pool, I’m all for it, but I still want the ballot box to steer the ship of state. And we could stand to fortify our elections, making it easier for Americans to vote, harder for Russians. That said, we’re coming up on a couple of elections right now: state and local primaries on September 13; federal midterm elections on November 6. We should think about creating a lion or two to add to the pride.

Two candidates in our region have caught my attention: Tracy Mitrano, who is running for Congress (23^rddistrict) to unseat Tom Reed; and Amanda Kirchgessner, who is running in the primary for the chance to unseat Tom O’Mara in the New York State Senate (58^thdistrict).

I spotted Mitrano over a year ago at a candidate forum at Stony Brook State Park. It was her first appearance on the campaign trail, and she caught my eye as someone well along the path toward important, national leadership. Her career in higher education plus a law degree create a formidable resume, not to mention her specialty in cyber security policy, something most of us agree is badly needed just now. But it’s something else, that “X” factor that’s captured my imagination. 

In Mitrano I hear a distinctly Western New York voice, one deeply connected to the struggles of our farms and our little towns, to our threatened natural splendor, even to our instrumental place in history from Six Nations and the founding of democracy to abolition to women’s rights. (Did I mention she has a Ph.D. in history?) Mitrano wants with all her heart to represent us, to bring opportunity to our region, stability to our lives, security to our families, to be our voice for change. It comes through, see for yourself. She can’t wait to get started. Maybe we’ve got a potential Lion of the House on our hands.

Amanda Kirchgessner is in a different category. She would bring to the statehouse in Albany the voice of the down-home, blue-collar worker. The young person who struggles to make ends meet, who gets up early, comes home late, works a lot of hours for not enough pay, who juggles student loans, health insurance, and keeping a roof overhead, God willing and the creek don’t rise. You could say she’s ordinary. Or you could say she’s extraordinary. Start up about your troubles, and the look on her face tells you she knows. She knows. Amanda’s done a lot of thinking about what’s gone wrong, and she’s got the focus of a fighter. I like to think we’ll be sending her off to Albany in January.

Yes, it is hard to see the passing of decent, passionate politicians, especially if you suspect they are an endangered species. Maybe the media’s coverage of the life of John McCain will inspire us to elect new leaders who will fight like lions for American ideals. Please do your part. 

Lee Marcus is a former staff writer for the Evening Tribune and author of “Hearts Afire: The Story of Moonwhistle School.”