The recent announcement by former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (D-Ga.) that she is running for President of the United States, as a Green party candidate, should raise some immediate warning flags.  A loud and clear message was sent to her when her own constituents voted her out of office in her last run for congressional office.  It seems as though, not long ago, her behavior on Capitol Hill caused extreme disfavor with voters and rightfully so.

At the time, when Ms. McKinney attempted to pass through a security checkpoint in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill and did not have her security identification displayed, a U. S. Capitol police officer attempted to stop her.  When he touched her arm, in an effort to get her to halt, Ms. McKinney defiantly punched him in the chest.  She subsequently expressed dissatisfaction concerning what occurred and indicated the officer should have recognized her as a member of Congress and implied that she should not have been stopped.  “Even if you’re stopped, you’re not supposed to hit a police officer.  It’s simple. Even the high and haughty should be able to stop and say, ‘I’m a congressman, and then everyone moves on,” stated former U. S. Capitol Police Chief Terrance W. Gainer. 

It became quickly apparent, however, that Ms. McKinney thought she was someone so special that she was above and beyond following the rules and obeying orders.  She obviously did what she felt like doing with total disregard for authority.  Instead of choosing to cooperate and respond in a mature and responsible manner, she demonstrated blatant recalcitrance.  As a member of Congress, Ms. McKinney’s conduct was unbecoming in all respects.  Her attempt to publicly chastise the police officer for his performance of duty was a means for her to deflect attention from herself and an attempt to place blame on a law enforcement officer who was performing his required and assigned duties. 

In addition, Ms. McKinney added fuel to the fire and displayed a degree of ignorance when she noted that U. S. Capitol Police officers should be able to recognize all 535 members of Congress.  Instead of immediately acknowledging her behavior and accepting responsibility for her actions, she lowered her perceived public image and disgraced her position.

If the truism, “Actions speak louder than words “prevails, the thought of Ms. McKinney running for President should send shivers down the spine of U.S. citizens.  Imagine her as the leader of the United States in a role that would involve developing and maintaining cooperative and collaborative relationships with other countries and interacting with foreign leaders and dignitaries.  Imagine her having to deal with delicate situations in a manner replete with courtesy, finesse, and sensitivity.  Moreover, imagine her having to acknowledge mistakes, rectify problems, and initiate solutions.

The people of Georgia spoke loudly and clearly when they failed to reelect her to office after the fiasco on Capitol Hill. It is apparent that her actions caused voters in her state a considerable degree of embarrassment as their representative in Congress.   They obviously had enough of her public shenanigans.  Ms. McKinney’s behavior and her unwarranted vocal and critical outcries only served to demean her personally and professionally, and her actions certainly did not command the dignity and respect associated with her position. 

Ms. McKinney seems to like attention in whatever way she can get it.  Since she has been out of the limelight and tucked away in the realm of obscurity, her new founded attempt to run for office as President of the United States, once again, brings her into the forefront of public attention that will likely satisfy her apparent craving for the media spotlight and self promotion.