Anger is Anger does

I am no political expert. I am just a concerned citizen that wants what is best for my country. In truth, I am a rank armature when it comes to politics. Most people are. I’m not very good in political debates either. I admit that my political views have been shaped over time by influences that are mostly theological in nature.

I know who I am going to support in this next presidential election. I also know with great confidence who it is I am not going to support with my vote. But this is the American way is it not? I am free to make that choice based on my own personal convictions and who I believe is better fit to sit in the Oval Office. I know this person will be flawed just as I am so my expectations will be realistic.

Yet the one person whom I would have never thought in a million years would have met so much success in the polls and caucuses is Donald Trump. I recently read a comment by the popular Evangelical pastor Max Lucado concerning Mr. trump:

I don’t know Mr. Trump. But I’ve been chagrined at his antics. He ridiculed a war hero. He made mockery of a reporter’s menstrual cycle. He made fun of a disabled reporter. He referred to the former first lady, Barbara Bush as “mommy,” and belittled Jeb Bush for bringing her on the campaign trail. He routinely calls people “stupid,” “loser,” and “dummy.” These were not off-line, backstage, overheard, not-to-be-repeated comments. They were publicly and intentionally tweeted, recorded, and presented.

I can only think of one word that adequately describes this description of the possible GOP nominee for the next president of the Untied States: Anger!

Trump is merely reflecting (or capitalizing on) the current disposition of not only support base but also that of most of the GOP leadership the past seven years. In this sense the GOP establishment is getting exactly what they deserve: An angry candidate for an angry electorate.

Max Lucado, along with many others, has taught me a thing or two about leadership. I have been studying the principles of leadership for most of my adult and professional life. The subject of my doctoral thesis was on “Spirituality and Leadership.” My understanding of what leadership is and isn’t has been shaped by some of the greatest leaders and minds this great country has produced.

If I could distill into one guiding principle my understanding of leadership it would be this: Lead in such ways that you want others to follow in like manner! In other words, lead by example. Set the tone for how you want people to act or behave under your leadership. Shape behavior of others by your own exhibited behavior (monkey see monkey does).

And this is precisely why the GOP leadership is getting exactly what they deserve, an angry blustering candidate that is embarrassing the hell out of them by winning votes. Why? Because this is exactly how they have been leading for the past seven or more years. They have set the tone for how their voters are now behaving. They have created a climate of anger, mistrust, and disrespect. They have stonewalled, resisted, and publicly berated a sitting president for over seven years and now this anger induced behavior is coming home to bite them in their collective backsides.

If Donald trump wins the GOP nomination, as it appears he just might, then I would contend that the GOP is getting exactly what they deserve—but most certainly not what the American people deserve.