6 Lessons Learned from the Presidential Candidates for 2008

The political field for the 2008 Presidential election is the most diverse in American history. Here are 6 lessons that you can learn from the candidates.

The political field for the 2008 Presidential election is the most diverse in American history. Not only does the field include a woman, a former First Lady, and an African-American, it includes a Muslim and a Mormon as well. Here are 6 lessons that you can learn from the candidates.

1. The more vague you are with regards to your actual political stance, the more popular you will become.

Barack Obama has gained enormous popularity by letting people project their own political beliefs onto him, except where it concerns the war in Iraq. In other words, he is purposely refraining to comment on most of the important issues of the day, except for Iraq, of course, in order to appeal to everyone. The reality is that he normally votes along the Democratic Party line and doesn't have much experience in the senate.

2. You can come back from the political graveyard if you handle a tragedy well.

Before the tragedy of September 11th, 2001, Rudy Giuliani was fighting for his political life as the mayor of New York City. However, his handling of the tragedy propelled him to the national political arena. People haven't forgotten "America's Mayor." If he wins the Republican nomination and then the Presidency, it will be due to his handling of the September 11th tragedy.

3. Being a war hero from the Vietnam Era doesn't mean that you will automatically receive your political party's nomination.

Unfortunately for Senator John McCain, his Presidential campaign in 2000 appears to have had more momentum than his 2008 campaign thus far. His maverick stand on many issues have isolated many on both sides of the aisle, and this time around, not as much attention is being paid to the fact that he is a Vietnam Era war hero.

4. Campaign finance reform means little or nothing.

Campaign finance reform, for which Senator John McCain fought for years, appears to be going completely out the window this Presidential campaign season. People such as Hillary Clinton are avoiding the new restrictions simply by not accepting tax dollars. As a result, everyone else appears to be following suit.

5. Any child can grow up to become the President, as long as he or she has insane amounts of money.

With a field of Presidential hopefuls that is more diverse than ever, there is finally some truth to the old saying that any child can grow up to become the President. Unfortunately, there appears to be a new restriction. You now have to have or raise an insane amount of money in order to run a prolonged campaign. In years past, it took a lot of money to campaign for President; however, that amount needed thus far has shattered all previous records. When will it end? Will someone from a truly humble background ever have the opportunity to become President? Unfortunately, campaign finance reform has had the exact opposite effect intended.

6. You don't have to fit the mold to run in 2008.

As mentioned previously, the field is welcoming just about everyone this year. For the first time in American history, you have serious Presidential contenders that include a woman, an African-American, a Muslim, and a Mormon. In addition, Rudy Giuliani's past personal problems (he's been married three times) appear to be a non-issue. No matter what side of the aisle you identify with at this time, you have to admit that the history that might be made is exciting.