Chronicle Editorial

Winnowing season
      On Monday, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker suspended his campaign for president due to diminishing funds and a lack of public support. The move came as a surprise to some, but it should mark the start of an exodus of candidates in the crowded Republican field.
      Walker’s quick exit was one of the more surprising developments in the race for the GOP nomination. He was once considered a rising star in the Republican Party, quickly climbing to the top of polls shortly after announcing his presidential campaign this summer. However, financial constraints and other concerns eventually did him in. Walker saw the writing on the wall, and some of his GOP rivals should follow his lead.
      Turbulence has marred the Republican campaign from the start. Political outsiders like Donald Trump, Carly Fiorina and Ben Carson rose to the top of polls thanks to their anti-establishment rhetoric, which created concern among party leaders. Their success has undermined the campaigns of other GOP bigwigs thought to be more viable choices for the White House by media pundits and other political insiders. While that may carry some truth, it’s hard to argue with the results. Polls show that Republicans are looking for an alternative to the standard and the success of these outsiders only backs that up.
      Seventeen candidates entered the Republican race at the start of the campaign season. That number is now down to 15, but it’s still far too many. Low poll numbers and dismal fundraising efforts have nagged the campaigns of at least five GOP presidential candidates for the past four months. While there’s still a long ways to go, they would be wise to step away from the race to make it easier on voters. The field is simply too muddled right now, which makes it difficult to sift through the nonsense to find a viable group of frontrunners.
 
The pope and politics
     This week marks the first visit to the United States by Pope Francis. Such visits typically garner frenzied media coverage and nationwide attention, but this stop has received even more buzz thanks to the pope’s vocal stances on things like climate change, poverty and other lightening rod topics.
     Pope Francis’ views on these issues are intermingled by the Catholic Church’s guiding principles of faith. Though some have criticized the pontiff for being so outspoken, he’s given the world a different perspective through the eyes of a religious leader.
     We typically view these issues with polarized opinions and harsh political rhetoric. Pope Francis, however, has offered a different perspective by making it an issue about the human condition. Our actions have consequences, which typically affect the most alienated groups of individuals on the planet. Some might twist his views and condemn them for being anti-capitalist, but the heart of his message is about helping your fellow man.
     It will be interesting to see what Pope Francis’ message is to Americans. His views clash with both the political left and right, so there will no doubt be some uncomfortable moments when he meets our nation’s leaders. However, his visit isn’t about politics. He’s a religious figurehead and he’ll no doubt offer a message of hope and a call to action.
     Americans – be they Christian, Jewish, Muslim or Hindu – would be wise to listen.