It's all about leadership

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It's all about leadership

By Richard H. Davis  |  August 30, 2004

THE FIRST presidential election since 9/11 is rapidly being defined as the most negative campaign in our collective memory.

Devoid of the usual debate over taxes, education, health care, and the environment, this campaign is singularly focused on war. Not the war in Iraq, or Afghanistan or even the war on terrorism, but our old nemesis -- the Vietnam War.

However, the real debate is not about the Vietnam War or any other war, it's about defining leadership and sifting through the spin to find those qualities in George Bush or John Kerry.

The winner will be the candidate who can demonstrate that he can unite the electorate against a common enemy -- global terrorism and those who conspire to destroy our ideals.

Bush has demonstrated that he can rise above the noise of political discourse and lead the nation. From his perch above the partisan convention audience, he must once again demonstrate that he is prepared to put the nation's interest ahead of his partisan interests and lead with vision and resolve.

Located uptown from the scene of the most jarring terrorist attack against a civilian target in our history, the Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden has the opportunity to define this election and determine its outcome. Kerry squandered his convention moment by focusing on the past and offering no constructive vision for the nation. Bush cannot afford to miss this opportunity. He must communicate that our great nation can become the greatest catalyst for peace in our time.

Enough with swift boat attack lines. Voters are waiting for the candidate with real leadership to step forward. With only two months left to campaign and an electorate evenly divided, the president's convention speech may be his last, best chance to demonstrate what he has learned over the last four years. The "vision thing" has never come easily to the Bushes, but never has there been a campaign so void of aspiration and so in need of leadership.

On Election Day, we may not remember the lessons we learned during 9/11 -- national unity, and our infinite ability to overcome obstacles, and our unique characteristic of looking to the future.

But we also hope our leaders remember. Because these are the qualities that the next president will need in order to lead.

Richard H. Davis is president of the Reform Institute and a partner in Davis Manafort, a political consulting firm. He was campaign manager for John McCain in 2000 and has worked in every presidential campaign since 1980.

BOSTON GLOBE