Presidential Candidates and the HonorThey Bestow on Their Families By Don Clucas

• “Just a Thought” by Don Clucas
  
  
  I’ll be the first to admit I could be absolutely wrong in one observation I’ve made during the 2016 presidential campaign, and you can be free to point it out to me if I am. For now, however, I’m sticking with what I think is the case. It concerns presidents, both past and present, as well as those who have campaigned during the past several months in an attempt to obtain the highest position in our land.
  First, however, I ask that you indulge me by allowing me to write some words of thanks concerning those who have gone before me, and had such an important part in making me who I am (for better or for worse) – my ancestors. And when I use the term “ancestors,” I’m not speaking about the ones who came across the Atlantic on those big boats many years ago, nor the hardworking pioneers who trudged across the plains during the westward movement. I’m talking about the ones who were alive during my lifetime and did everything in their power to raise me up to be a good person – Mom, Dad, my grandparents, a great-grandfather. And a BIG bunch of aunts and uncles as well as great aunts and uncles (both biological and by marriage). And after Joanie and I were married, there were her parents, her step-dad, and her grandmother. And, of course, it goes without saying…there was Joanie.
  Every one of these people put a lot of effort into making certain I followed the right path, worked hard, treated others with respect, and was a good citizen, and of course, loved God. Did I ever fail to be the responsible person they wanted me to be? Of course I did – I’m human. But was it because they hadn’t tried? Of course not. And while we’re at it, were they perfect? Of course not. But they never ever gave up on me.
  Okay. Back to the presidents and the candidates. You thought I forgot, didn’t you?
  It seems to me that as long as I can remember, presidential candidates and those who have gone on to fill the office itself have always done a great job of acknowledging their families and the influence they have had on their lives. I especially think of those who have had a keen awareness of the important role their mothers and spouses have played in their lives. Many have had their mothers seated at special events in which they, themselves, have been involved. I recall, most recently, of Barbara Bush’s attendance at debates which included her son Jeb. And on the other side of the campaign Hillary Clinton has always acknowledged the tremendous influence her mother, Dorothy Rodham, has had on her life. I’m certain, there could be many more similar instances which could be cited concerning other candidates. 
  However, the one glaring thing that stands out to me (finally, back to the point of this piece) is that I haven’t observed this in the case of Donald Trump. Although I have read quite a bit of information regarding his parents, Trump himself doesn’t seem to have a need to speak about them. Nor does there seem be a desire for him to give credit to anyone else in his family line who might have come alongside him in an attempt to properly “mold him.”
  What does seem to be the case is that when he has been on the campaign trail, he is surrounded by the family he has put together. And is there a fatherly and husbandly pride shown when he introduces them and talks about them? I believe there is, but it always seems to have the hidden (or maybe not-so-hidden) message of “Look at my family. See what I’VE created!” 
  
  
  Just a thought…by Don Clucas 
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