...and I'm not even running for office. Notwithstanding the opinion of various pundits, there is room I think for pragmatism and truthful discussion of the issues and problems facing the country. Without such information, how can the electorate of a democracy make their most fundamental decisions--choosing who they will vote for to represent them?

If all we had were political leaders or candidates for office who fed us half truths and only the good news, I can't imagine that we'd be better off. We've had political leaders that have done that, and others that have been more open and pragmatic with the public. It seems to me that history has identified those that were more open and honest as among our better political leaders.

Of course, they had to be both right and effective in explaining the issues to the country and successful in gaining public support for his decisions. At this point, President Obama has done none of those things, so necessary if history is to record his administration as the hope he has claimed, or governance during a period when the country slides precipitously from its position of wealth, leadership and power. The answers to those questions all remain to be seen. All we can hope for, very selfishly, is that Obama is right and is the hope he has promised. The alternative is neither avoidable or pretty.