Convention Depression

So, now that I've had my fill of both Republican and Democratic conventions, I'm feeling a bit depressed. Not because I'll miss the pundits analyzing the nuances and the cadence in every speech. And not because I considered it to be just good theater.

I'm depressed because I realize that this is the best we've got.

It really doesn't matter what your political affiliation is. You just look up at the 4 principals in the election and you say...."if this was my fantasy baseball team, I'd trade all of them."

For some reason, we don't feel the same way about some former Presidents. They have a certain aura about them. In fact, many were referenced in both conventions. Reagan, Lincoln, JFK, and FDR immediately come to mind. And Clinton's speech made sure you added his name to the list. Sure, they all had their critics when they governed, but somehow we look back favorably on their legacies. Sadly, I just don't feel the same about our two current candidates. I wish I did.

We're only two months away from the election. And everyone's attempting to make up my mind. If Bill Maher, Rachael Maddow, and Sean Hannity aren't enough, I'll get my earful of politics just by logging into Facebook where each of you apparently has your own show with your name atop the marquee. Some of you even have theme music.

But political ideology carries much less weight than you think. Because at the core, at the true epicenter of this election, the elephants and the donkeys don't really matter much. I don't care about trickle down, deficits, or reaching across the aisle. The real issue is this.

The President has a job like everyone else. There's just one difference. It's the toughest job. And the salary isn't even that impressive. In fact, the President of the U.S. may be the quintessential definition of "overworked and underpaid." But, let's keep looking at this as a job.

If the incumbent President was in HR, an accountant, a teacher, a cop, a lawyer, a salesperson, a contractor, or any other job with an annual review, his boss would decide if he makes it another year. The President, unlike many other jobs, actually has a 4 year contract. Not too shabby.

With that said, it's time for a review. And you're the boss. Based on performance, you're not completely satisfied. Although, you do recognize that there's been a lot of hard work. You also acknowledge that this employee took the job during a period that was economically challenging for your organization. Now you have to decide if you want to keep him.

He acknowledges that he isn't completely satisfied either, and that he knows he can do better. He just needs a little more time. In most organizations, if an employee didn't get the results you were looking for in 4 years time, you'd probably show him the door. Presidents are different, so let's keep going.

First, we'd have to see look at those "candidates" interviewing for the position. What if you went through a series of prospects (similar to the primary), until you narrowed it down to one. You looked at his experience, personality, values, and how you think he'd fit into the organization. In the end, you're not sure. You like some things, others you don't.

And that's our current election in a nutshell. One guy needs a little more time, and the other guy may work out, but he just doesn't knock your socks off. It probably happens every day at a variety of different companies, and in many different businesses.

It's just too bad this one involves the Presidency. You're the boss.

How will you choose?