Written by Kylie Akins
On March 3, Hereford Central Church of Christ deacon and local farmer Jared Blankenship stood on the steps of the Texan city’s Deaf Smith County Courthouse to declare his presidential candidacy.Facing criticism and unfavorable odds, the Abilene Christian University alumnus said he is beginning his presidential campaign with no political experience and a limited budget,but not without purpose.”I have always believed that it was average citizens who truly understood what America is all about and hoped that someone would come forward to speak for my beliefs and convictions,” Blankenship said. “Frankly, I grew tired of waiting. I realized that I could not expect someone else to stand up if I myself would not.”Blankenship is running for the Republican presidential candidacy under the slogan “Reclaiming America,” with the goal of giving control of individual freedoms back to average Americans through their local government. His key points include cutting government spending equally across every program,functioning under energy policies less dependent on foreign resources, creating responsible environmental policies and forming solutions that address the health care needs of older and younger generations.Responding to Blankenship’s online credentials, Dr. Steven Breezeel, Harding associate professor of political science and instructor of the American Presidency course, said that Blankenship’s lack of political experience may be a source of concern throughout his presidential campaign.”We have never had a president who didn’t have some kind of political experience,” Breezeel said.”There is always the sense that you have to be successful with a little before we give you a lot.”Blankenship, however, asserts that his political inexperience is one of his greatest advantages.”A wealth of political experience is no indication of how an individual would perform in office,” Blankenship said. “Leadership is not born of expertise or training. Leadership is a result of clear purpose and vision which may be grasped by those who choose to follow.”But as with any profession, Breezeel said, one does not normally place a nonprofessional in the most prominent position of the field.”I think it is a great thing for Christians to be engaged in politics and their community, but I think he needs to start with city council or state legislative office,” Breezeel said. “If you want to get down to the stuff that really directly affects people on a daily basis, you have a lot more contacts and influences in your life that come out of state and local government.”With the next presidential election to be held in 2012, Blankenship said he is currently planning his first campaign visit to Iowa.While he understands hefty funds are crucial to a presidential campaign, he said he is relying on his faith in God and the support of individuals.”I fully realize the challenges placed in front of this endeavor but also realize that the odds were soundly against a group of men believing that they could declare independence and form an enduring nation based upon nothing more than individual freedom,” Blankenship said.
