A Bountiful Crop in the 5th District--- A Positive Spin

There has been a lot of moaning and groaning and in-fighting on the blogs about the 5th District congressional race. I am sure that is par for the course, but I prefer to look at the positive side. Why get down about it? Let's count our blessings.

We have six candidates who are highly motivated to serve our district, state and nation, at no little expense to themselves in time, money and hardship on their families. They are motivated, not out of personal ambition, from anything I have seen or heard, but out of patriotism. They are not politicians, but citizens who have decided it is time for statesmen to step forward. I admire every one of them for their courage and commitment.

There has been some talk in the press and blogs regarding some of them who may consider independent runs for office, should they not win the nomination. I think it is early to be talking about that, but those rumblings are cause for concern. I think it is a shot across the bow for those in the party who may be willing to settle for a status quo, go-along-to-get-along candidate. We cannot afford that any longer, not when this country is running a 100 miles an hour -- no, make that a trillion miles an hour -- in a Lamborghini with no brakes toward a massive precipice. No, same old, same old will not cut it any more. We need a pride of new Young Lions in Congress, and we are going to elect one from the 5th district. Let's hope the one we elect is a Republican.

There has also been talk of our good, old friend Virgil Goode running, either at the last minute as a Republican, or as an Independent. Mr. Goode is deservedly loved and respected throughout the district, and many wish that he would run again. I say the time has past for that. If he had been ready to fight for this district again from the get-go, that would have been GREAT. But he declined, and he has been sitting on the sidelines. I think the time has come for him to pass the torch. He can best serve now as a force for party unity. I hope he will support the efforts of the six conservatives in the race, and whichever one of those is the eventual nominee. I pray that he will serve as a mentor and elder statesman, assisting in the campaign to the finish line and, even more importantly, in Washington next year.

McPadden for Congress - Tea Party Movement from Michael McPadden on Vimeo.