McMullin Rally Subverts Expectations
On October 5th Evan McMullin, Independent Conservative Presidential candidate, spoke in the Provo, Utah library. Anyone and everyone was invited, with 700 locals responding that they would be in attendance. 300 were actually expected to show up, and there were chairs for 400 people.. By the time McMullin stood up all the seats were filled, with every ounce of space being filled with standing participants and an estimated 100 more were waiting outside in the hallway.
McMullin started with his story, literally recounting how his ancestors immigrated to America from Ireland, joined the church and settled in Utah. He recounted how he had served in the CIA, earned an MBA and worked with Goldman Sachs. Early in this Presidential race he had hoped that moral candidates would be chosen to represent the two political parties, but was disheartened at Donald Trump being chosen as the republican candidate. He further recounted how he had reached out to major republican figures asking them to run as independent candidates, yet they all chose not to take the chance. Respecting their decision, McMullin chose to run for President himself.
McMullin’s speech was unlike any I had ever expected to hear out of any candidate’s mouth. Most media clips of the current candidates show them at rallies trying their best to be WWE match announcers. There seems to be a need for thunderous applause and high energy speeches that drown opposition in noise. The current vibe as portrayed in national television seems to be one of a sporting event. In sharp contrast, McMullin brought a tone and vibe that would almost have been more appropriate in a mormon sacrament meeting than a political rally. He didn’t seem too concerned with building up the crowd through overpowering charisma, and instead acted like his message was more important than whatever the outcome of this Presidential race will be.
Not once did we hear him give a concrete plan for what he would do as president. In fact, we didn’t hear him make any promises or encourage people to vote for him. Instead, his speech was largely focused on problems facing America, what their solution should be, and how we, the people, could make those solutions a reality. He called for a “new generation” of leaders.
A sampling of his solutions included: a return of executive power back to the States, restoration of legislative powers to Congress, a reformation of entitlements while keeping current promises to the retired while gradually being phased out, and a lowering of the size of the federal government.
McMullin’s most impassioned arguments came when discussing the morality of current political leaders and what they should be. Most of the time he maintained a sober, even, attitude with small doses of humor. On three occasions he found it hard to speak as he was holding back tears at the betrayal of the American people by the current system. He denounced Trump and the way he attacked people for their race, religion, social standing, or disabilities, citing that “all men are created equal” and that America needs to be a nation that respects said equality in all its citizens.
After discussing topics ranging from education to leader’s respect of the constitution, McMullin ended with not the commitment to vote for him, as stated above, but to hold our leaders to a higher standard. He espoused a set of “Principles for new American Leadership”, which can be found at his website at “www.evanmcmullin.com/principles”.
Evan Mcmullins chances of becoming President of the United States of America are a long shot. He started too late, doesn’t have the backing of any major parties, and none of the major media news outlets are focusing on him. I think he[Evan] understands this, and is instead using his presidential candidacy as a platform with which to spread a civic call to arms and message of moral leadership. He is calling for people to stop. Stop with insisting that we only vote in a two party system. Stop perpetuating a political imbalance of power. Stop being lazy, get involved in the conversation, and vote for every government official in your sphere of influence who will have integrity. Your vote might not put your person in the oval office, or the county sheriff’s office. But your vote will not be wasted. By refusing to play by the rules of a crooked system and be independent, you can hold those that would govern to a higher standard.
More information on Evan McMullin and his campaign can be found at his website, evanmcmullin.com.
Parker Monson is a Southern Virginia University Alumni. He currently resides in Provo, Utah and works as a software engineer in the real estate industry.
