No… I am not talking about Barack Obama ascending to the league of Presidents of the United States. This club is a much more somber club… The Henry Clay club.

The Henry Clay club includes great leaders who, for whatever reason, America overlooked when it comes to her highest office.  These imperfect leaders continued to serve the idea of a nation greater than any one man, even in the face of adversity and rejection.  Current members include (obviously) the Great Compromiser himself, the first cross-of-gold carrying candidate to campaign in modern day Oklahoma: William Jennings Bryan, and Adlai Stevenson, among others.

Now, the truly honorable man John McCain will be added to this list. I can only imagine the emotion of a man who has given all that he has, his time, his health, his life and his love for a single idea — the idea of “America” — only to have that idea turn its back on its great standard-bearer. In the midst of this rejection, McCain remained his true self, an imperfect, humble servant of a nation he loves.

I pray for John McCain.

I also pray for Barack Obama, who will inherit leadership of the United States in a troublesome time. Even with the best leadership imaginable, the following years will be turbulent. Let’s give the rookie a chance. He can’t do much worse than Dubya or Carter. Maybe he’ll be the new Reagan or Roosevelt. We can hope.

My vote for John McCain was just that — a vote for John McCain. It was not a vote against Barack Obama. It was a vote for putting the best leader in the highest position of this great land. Unfortunately, America did not agree to call McCain’s number, electing instead to pitch the ball to Obama.

Hopefully our future will be bright and our nation remain strong. Now is not the time to regret the loss of one candidate or another. It is now time to work towards solutions for our nations ills — regardless of the pesky Ds and Rs at the end of politicians names. We need not politicians — we need statesmen, like Clay, Bryan, Stevenson and McCain.