I believe the role of the Christian today is to show the world the love of Jesus. I know that may sound overly simplistic, but the Church has gotten too accustomed to judging. We need to get back to the basics of our walk with Jesus and let the overflow of that relationship translate into really caring for and loving people.

I figured, I am a product of the opportunity the country provided, and I understand the challenges of the middle class and the lower class, and I clearly understand the dynamics at the highest levels of wealth within the country and across this global world. It became clear to me that I could represent the people of Texas - I could represent those people, that segment of society that I came from.

What I think I represent is a patriot who has no political baggage behind him that has dedicated his entire life to serving America and all segments of our citizenship. I think I bring an element of appeal to a very broad spectrum of Texans to include veterans, the middle class, the lower class and the Hispanic population, obviously. But, also, I think there is this leadership quality that has to be taken into consideration.

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, I watched helplessly as the Bush administration led America into a strategic blunder of historic proportions. It became painfully obvious that the executive branch of our government did not trust its military. It relied instead on a neoconservative ideology developed by men and women with little, if any, military experience. Some senior military leaders did not challenge civilian decision makers at the appropriate times, and the courageous few who did take a stand were subsequently forced out of the service.

Sometimes in life, my failures speak louder than my victories and I need to be constantly reminded that though my enemies surround me, my God surrounds my enemies. If we're truly honest, we've had to mentally battle failures or fears more than once in our lives.

I believe the role of the Christian today is to show the world the love of Jesus. I know that may sound overly simplistic, but the Church has gotten too accustomed to judging. We need to get back to the basics of our walk with Jesus and let the overflow of that relationship translate into really caring for and loving people.

My assessment is that we have a crisis in national political leadership. When will America recognize the danger we face? When will the corrosive partisanship of American politics end and allow for a bipartisan solution to arguably the most dangerous threat our nation has faced in over 60 years?