There’s a great dialogue in “National Treasure 2” between the president and Ben Gates, the role played by Nicholas Cage. Gates mentions to the president that he believes him to be an honorable man. The president says to him, “Gates, people don’t believe that stuff anymore.” Gates gives a simple answer that strikes at the core of the America I believe in: “They want to believe it.”

 Deep in my heart, I trust that most Americans – liberal, conservative, libertarian, undecided – truly desire a leader with honor, courage, integrity, and deep patriotism. Most of us want to look up to a leader with diehard convictions who stands for those convictions at all costs and doesn’t waffle in doubt and indecision; a leader who has taken the time to wrestle with the tough issues and who has resolved those issues in his or her heart; a leader who understands what it means to be an American and who appreciates the incredible blessing it is to live in this great nation; a leader who instills this patriotic hope in his fellow-citizens and who reminds us often of the amazing sacrifice that so many paid to secure this freedom.

 Permit me one more movie quote: in “Braveheart,” William Wallace says to the Nobleman, Robert, “Men don’t follow titles, they follow courage….if you would just lead them to freedom, they’d follow you…” A bit sappy, I know, but with that kind of leader occupying the office of the most powerful position in the world, I believe so many more in America would begin to better understand the importance of the Constitution. They would see the value of maintaining a limited government that is not involved in arenas they were never designed to enter. They would better grasp the concept of the courts interpreting, not legislating. They would demand an immigration system that requires legality and accountability, not permissiveness.

 President Bush has done a great job of protecting our country and a good job at many other things. And sure, whatever the outcome of the November elections, America can survive, and even thrive, without a great leader in the White House. But I, for one, wish for a leader I can look up to and one that I can trust to lead this country back to its conservative foundation. My great hope in 2008 is that John McCain will become that leader – and if not him, that soon, a great leader would step up to the plate, stand firm, and lead America forward in the truth of conservative values.