Clearly, there are too many factors left to chance when a politician depends on public opinion polls. The 9/11 carnage and the dancing celebration of liberated Iraqis have shown us that we need leaders who will put their political careers on the line to do what's right. The very definition of a leader is one who will do what he or she knows is right, no matter what the election impact.

 A leader's relevant decision makers should be his heart and mind, not his political consultants and Gallup polls readouts.