Who to Vote For

Long-standing research about politicians holds that it is usually the taller, better-looking candidate that has a greater chance of winning an election.
I was watching a re-cap of the presidential debate late Wednesday night.
I thought to myself, "so if the research is true, how do the voters decide on a candidate when both Obama and Romney are tall and good-looking?"
Of course, this is not to say that a candidate's policies and track record do not figure in, also.
But I think people unconsciously make decisions based on externals: looks, charm, effective rhetoric and style.
Haven't we all observed that more attractive people seem to compete better in getting jobs, winning a more attractive or successful spouse, inspiring respect?

Saul: tall and attractive
Take King Saul, Israel's first king.
The people readily accepted him because he was tall and kingly in appearance.
Never mind that he was fearful, rebellious, vindictive, moody and superstitious.
He looked good.

But God later rejected him because of his disobedience.
(Wouldn't that be an amazing event nowadays if a president was removed from office for this reason?)
God planned to replace Saul with a man "after His own heart."

So God sent His prophet, Samuel, to anoint a new king.
Jesse's sons paraded before Samuel.
The prophet saw Jesse's first-born and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed stands here before the Lord."
But God told him, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him."
(I've always wondered why God rejected him.)

David, a man after God's own heart
Finally, the youngest (least) of Jesse's sons, David, was anointed king. David was so little thought of that Jesse hadn't even summoned him to present himself before Samuel.

David was young, hardly more than a boy. Nevertheless, God said to Samuel, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one."

After David was anointed, the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power.
Shortly after this, David went into Saul's personal service. And not long after, David fought his famous brief battle with the giant, Goliath.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we'd search our political candidates, truly search, their hearts?
To look beyond mere height and pleasing physical features to the man or woman inside.
We do not have the edict of the Lord about who will be our next president.
So it is up to us to read, research, question, educate ourselves about the current issues in our country, indeed the world, and to get to know our candidates well.

How to choose
What is his track record?
What is his local and personal reputation?
What proven good (real, un-spun stats) has he accomplished?
Who are her friends and associates? Are they well thought of, too?
Did things get better—economically, morally, academically, under her term?
Are he and his friends constantly embroiled in scandals?
Does he disregard the God-given rights of the unborn, the weak, the very old?
Does she work to unite all citizens under the common love of country?
Does he love Israel and aid her?
Does she align herself with the principles found in God's Word?
Does he uphold the American Constitution as framed by its originators?

After all, if you were choosing a spouse or business partner, wouldn't you ask yourself similar questions? So why would you fail to ask these question when choosing the leader of the free world?

Any candidate who compromises God's righteous principles is not the right candidate for our country, no matter how attractive his appearance, no matter how smooth and inspiring his words. 

May our next leader say with sincerity the words that Solomon spoke when he became king after his father David:
"Your servant is here among the people You have chosen a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern Your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"