A natural leader emerges with Middle America roots

My friends, it is not usually my job to offer endorsements.

I would hate to see my support shift the balance of an important election and set the course of this great nation, even if I am more patriotic than all of you voters who don't live in the "pro-America" sections of the country.

But I have to be honest. On election day, I can't help but support someone in whom I believe.

That's why I am endorsing a man unlike any other.

A man who has overcome racial stereotypes to ascend improbably to the top of a pressurized profession (1).

A man who has handled the underhanded machinations of his opponents (2) with grace.

A man who uses his pulpit to help the downtrodden (3) and defeat evil (4).

A man who has overcome potentially damaging past associations with loud, angry men of ill repute (6).

My friends, I give you a man who believes in the audacity of hope (7), a man who believes in dreams (8), a man who should soon be running our country.

I give you ... Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, of course. Who did you expect?

(Reading key: 1) Coaching; 2) Cheatin' Bill Belichick; 3) He does great charitable work; 4) Belichick and the Patriots; 5) He beat the Bears in the Super Bowl; 6) Denny Green; 7) He took Tampa Bay to the playoffs and Indy to a title; 8) That someday the elderly columnist from the Star Tribune will stop asking him if he'll become coach of the Golden Gophers.