THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 13 February 2008

The Rt Rev James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool

In his controversial book “DC Confidential” Christopher Meyer, formerly British Ambassador in Washington, spilled the beans about the advice he gave every year to the new recruits to the Embassy.

“Think of the US as a foreign country” he said, “then you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the many things you find in common with this most generous and hospitable of people; think of America as Britain writ large and you risk coming to grief”.

The contrast between the two countries comes under the magnifying glass as the pace quickens in the race for the White House.

Last night the Potomac Primaries saw Barak Obama surge ahead and John McCain all but secure his party’s nomination.

The prize, the Presidency! But here’s one of the major differences between Britain and America. The President isn’t just a political figure. He (or she) inhabits at least three separate roles – in our terms the Prime Minister, the Monarch and – even the Archbishop of Canterbury! The President clearly offers political leadership. But when he stands next to the flag he’s not just the Commander in Chief, he’s there like the Queen as a symbol of the nation. And then in times of national disaster such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina he acts like a spiritual leader reassuring the people, unashamedly using words of comfort and hope from the religious reservoir of America’s history. In fact, much of the political rhetoric of this election has religious, even messianic overtones.

What it does is to heighten the sense of expectation – not just in America but throughout the world. The scenes that greet the candidates are very different from anything we see in this country. Our party conferences, however orchestrated they may now be are relatively sedate affairs by comparison with the near religious frenzy of the revivalist crowds that meet the winning candidates in America.

Of course crowds are very fickle. Jesus knew only too well how they could turn – one moment cheering, the next minute jeering. Jesus similarly inhabited different roles and so knew what it was like to be the focus of the hopes of many people.

In human terms one of the reasons for his own demise was that he failed to match their many expectations especially their political dreams.

One of the challenges for the next President of the United States of America – which is the challenge for any leader of any organisation is how – when in pursuit of power you have raised expectations – do you then manage them and even lower them to realistic levels.