Carly Fiorina's out; here's hoping she doesn't disappear

If there's one thing that convinces me beyond a doubt that American politics has gone completely off the rail, it's this: There's all this talk about the possibility of the first woman president, but the woman being taken seriously for this possibility is Hillary Clinton and not Carly Fiorina. This is completely insane. Fiorina was real force in this race even if she didn't pull the votes to make herself a real contender. She showed that she understands and is ready for leadership. She showed that she's learned from past mistakes. She showed that life's experiences have shaped her values and that she's at a point in her life where she's clear about right and wrong.

And she clearly and accurately described what's wrong with the political class and what could be done to correct these problems. I'm convinced that she would have been an excellent president, and that her experience as a business leader would have been a huge help to her in guiding the executive branch as well as in negotiating with Congress. But alas, in the week of dropouts, we learn as we had long figured that it is not to be:

This campaign was always about citizenship—taking back our country from a political class that only serves the big, the powerful, the wealthy, and the well connected. Election after election, the same empty promises are made and the same poll-tested stump speeches are given, but nothing changes. I've said throughout this campaign that I will not sit down and be quiet. I'm not going to start now. While I suspend my candidacy today, I will continue to travel this country and fight for those Americans who refuse to settle for the way things are and a status quo that no longer works for them. Our Republican Party must fight alongside these Americans as well. We must end crony capitalism by fighting the policies that allow it to flourish. We must fix our festering problems by holding our bloated, inept government bureaucracy accountable. Republicans must stand for conservative principles that lift people up and recognize all Americans have the right to fulfill their God-given potential. To young girls and women across the country, I say: do not let others define you. Do not listen to anyone who says you have to vote a certain way or for a certain candidate because you're a woman. That is not feminism. Feminism doesn't shut down conversations or threaten women. It is not about ideology. It is not a weapon to wield against your political opponent. A feminist is a woman who lives the life she chooses and uses all her God-given gifts. And always remember that a leader is not born, but made. Choose leadership. As I have said to the many wonderful Americans I have met throughout this campaign, a leader is a servant whose highest calling is to unlock potential in others. I will continue to serve in order to restore citizen government to this great nation so that together we may fulfill our potential.

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I don't know where she goes from here, but I hope it's not away (and from the sounds of the above, it won't be). A lot of people will talk about her as a potential vice president or cabinet member. Another potential path is a media venture like the successful one undertaken by the guy whose name is at the top of this web site. Herman was determined when his campaign ended that his ideas needed an outlet to be heard, and that's why he went on the radio, got the Fox gig, made himself available to do speeches and brought Rob and me aboard to help run this site. Carly Fiorina could do something similar very successfully if she wanted to. No candidate on the Republican side this year was better at cutting through the nonsense and explaining in an understandable way what's going wrong, and how it could be straightened out. She would be a star if she decided to take to the airways or to the web and do that on a full-time basis. I don't know if she wants to, but she'd be great at it because the substance she would bring to the discussion would be outstanding. And I think America needs to hear more of what she's saying. Herman's success shows that people want to hear from people who have strong track records in leadership, and believe me, there's room for one more. But wherever Carly Fiorina goes from here, I wouldn't bet against her. The Republican field was pretty crowded this year and unfortunately she wasn't one of the candidates who emerged from the crowd, but she absolutely made an impact. Which leads me to this question for Hillary supporters (especially Madeleine Albright): Do you really think it's so important to have a woman president? Because if you did, you would have chosen the best prepared woman for the job. And by getting behind Hillary would you could have supported Carly, you clearly demonstrate that woman thing is just a technique for you to try to keep your side in power another four years.