<p>With the Commmadant retiring this year from the Coast Guard, does anyone think that there will be the possiblity of him running for elective office? Remember, Thad Allen did a great job in the response to Hurricane Katrina, and I think that our country does need the sort of efficient leadership that comes from the Coast Guard (particularly with the way things are in Washington)</p>
<p>I doubt it. I think he’s more likely to head into some other kind of employment, perhaps in the public service area, as the head of FEMA, or the USO, the Red Cross, some other emergency response/humanitarian organization.</p>
<p>While Adm. Allen may not even be considering running for President, I think the rest of America should entertain this idea. Here we have a hero of the seas on: September 11th, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the BP Gulf Oil Disaster. In each case, the Admiral has shown resolve, determination, devotion to country, and precise execution of his duty…without missing a beat. The BP Oil Disaster, I think, was really the incident that allowed him to come out and shine…on a daily basis with the press, no less.</p>
<p>I think his sheer honesty and integrity is enough to “win in politics”. And, if you wonder whether he’s tough, well…he’s a military man. Yah, he’s tough.</p>
<p>Again, Allen may not have 2016 on his radar, but it’s up to us to organize around him and to select/nominate him as that Presidential leader (heck, write him in on election day!). I’ve already written President Obama and the DNC this week, encouraging them to think about Thad Allen as successor to Barack Obama in the White House.</p>
<p>Let us never go back to the days of Gore vs. Bush, when a stupid body language gaffe during a debate causes everyone to get ants in their pants. Government is a serious business (not just a problem, like ol’ Governor/President Reagan used to tell us), and we should put serious men/women in it, willing to be GREAT at their jobs.</p>