Despite the fact that there are more than a dozen declared candidates running for the Republican nomination in the 2016 presidential election, many people are still struggling to find a candidate that they can get behind. Allow me to toss out one more idea for the next President of the United States. In 1989, the world was introduced to a man named Lloyd Dobler through the movie "Say Anything." One of my favorites, it follows Lloyd as he attempts to woo high school valedictorian Diane Court the summer after high school graduation. Lloyd, described on IMDb.com as a “noble underachiever,” is regarded by most of his fellow characters as a relatively average guy. But he isn’t a guy, he’s a man, as his friend Corey points out. Throughout the movie, he imparts his unassuming wisdom to the audience. He is a rare candidate who succeeds when he knows what he wants, when he knows what he doesn’t want, and more importantly when he “knows that he doesn’t know.” Here are just a few selected gems that prove Lloyd Dobler has the qualities we need in the next president of our nation:
1. Deep Thinker
Lloyd: “How hard is it to decide to be in a good mood and just be in a good mood once in a while?"
Constance: "Gee, I don't know, easy."
A mood is a choice. You wake up every morning and decide between good or bad, between positive or negative. Some days, it’s easy, but most days, it’s hard. It takes work and conscious effort, but there’s nothing stopping you from being in a good mood, despite the circumstances.
2. Thought Provoker and Ponderer of Life’s Questions
Lloyd: “I got a question. If you guys know so much about women, how come you’re here at like the Gas ‘N’ Sip on a Saturday night, completely alone, drinking beers, with no women anywhere?”
Joe: "By choice, man."
Guy 1: Yeah, man, conscious choice."
Guy 2: "I'm choosin' it."
3. Business Visionary
Lloyd: “Kickboxing. You heard of kickboxing, sport of the future?”
After 1989, kickboxing flourished and, from that, fathered MMA (mixed martial arts) four years later at UFC1. MMA now has over 50,000 employees and a $3 billion revenue stream. Donald Trump didn’t see that one coming.
4. Inspiration for the Everyman
Mike: “I don't know you very well, you know, but I wanted to ask you — how'd you get Diane Court to go out with you?”
Lloyd: “I called her up.”
Mike: “But how come it worked? I mean, like, what are you?”
Lloyd: “I'm Lloyd Dobler.”
Mike: “This is great. This gives me hope. Thanks.”
5. Career Savvy
Lloyd: “I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that.”
Sometimes the best thing to do is to eliminate all the things you know you don’t want and see what’s left (e.g., kickboxing, enormous career in politics, etc.).
6. Ambitious
Lloyd: “I am looking for a dare to be great situation.”
7. Socially Aware
Lloyd: “I draw the line at seven unreturned phone calls.”
Persistence is good, up to a point. But sometimes, you have to know where to draw those lines.
8. Idealist
Diane: “Nobody thinks it will work, do they?”
Lloyd: "No, You just described every great success story."
So if you’re not feeling Trump or any of the other candidates, consider voting Lloyd Dobler in 2016. Underappreciated by our generation, "Say Anything" is a masterful work of subtle genius. For those of you who haven’t had the chance to experience it, do yourself a favor and watch it.
