Fifty-five years ago, as I was serving my parish internship in order to become an ordained minister, my supervisor said to me,” Ken, you will discover two things about the political activists in the congregation you serve. Republicans are like lemmings. They follow their leader even if he (she) takes them over a cliff. Democrats are … well, like trying to herd a room full of cats.”

Over the years, I have come to realize how prophetic were his insights, especially over the past four years, including the run up to the 2016 election.

I consider myself to be an Independent, although over the past 30 to 35 years I have probably voted for more Republican than Democratic candidates, including statewide elections. Most important in choosing for whom I will vote are 1) personal integrity and character, and 2) who shows some ability to heal the divisions that are internally tearing us apart.

For those reasons I was a fan of former Gov. Jon Huntsman (R-UT), who got nowhere in the 2012 GOP primary, and Gov. John Kasich (R) who won only his home state of Ohio in 2016.

I suggested to a staunch Democratic friend that if Trump were removed from office and Republicans were to nominate a John Kasich/Nikki Haley (former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador) ticket, they would probably win at least 40 states.

He replied, “I’d vote for that.”

It’s just a thought … nothing more.

The Rev. Kenneth Jensen

Albert Lea