Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that South Carolina Speaker, David Wilkins, accepts an invitation to be ambassador to Canada. I'm not saying he's been asked. I'm not saying he's going to say yes. I'm not even saying it's Canada. He's been offered all kinds of stuff by President's before. I'm just posing, "what if?"

            To be completely fair, the House Speaker is saying, "it's pure speculation," and that "this rumor comes up every year or so." And why not? It is no secret that '43 and David Wilkins are more than occasional acquaintances. No one in this state has worked harder for causes that actually help Palmetto state residents than David Wilkins. No one has worked harder to elect Bushes than David Wilkins. W has around him in Washington, people like David Wilkins. I can think of no other person of my generation who is more worthy to be an ambassador.

            David and his brother, Billy, are good men from a good family from a good place in our good state. Federal Judge Wilkins is a fair and honorable jurist, far ahead of many other pronouncers in the increasingly confusing thicket of federal rulings. A wise man of honor and trust. But enough about Billy, I want to talk about David.

            The Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives did not get to where he is by being timid or a half-measurer. If he believed in it, he did it, or promoted it, or worked for it, until he got it. Anybody with guts can do that. But what makes Mr. Speaker the man he is, is his ability to get people to talk to each other so that the good things get done and the tough things get accepted. Many a Senator in our illustrious other chamber, was raised to appreciate the openness that Wilkins engenders. The Senate benefits from having known him.

            But it is the House that truly reaps the benefit of a man like David Wilkins. And, again, it is the man's ability to get people together so that they each get heard, but come to a minimal understanding, at least, so that matters move forward. Wilkins has helped others to show each how to laugh at foibles and admit mistakes and strengths, so that, in the end, most feel that they have had a say for or against. It has a lot to do with keeping his word.

            It is an angry and bitter person who feels that he or she has been cheated of their turn. Look at what goes on in the other body from time to time. (I have to pause here and say that Andre Bauer has matured with the help of Hugh Leatherman and Glenn McConnell, and runs a much finer ship than before, but there are still those who, because of the shift in power in that body, feel left out. It is inevitable, the way power is distributed there. Glenn and Mr. Leatherman and David Thomas have done yoeman's work trying to keep it from being so, but power lost is power coveted and that's nobody's fault.)

            The Speaker has wrought a miracle of sorts in that he has managed to avoid almost all of that ill will. If you have a couple of hours to burn, some day, tune your computer to the state House and Senate channels on the General Assembly's website. You will discover that the House has a sense of humor. Not silly, just good natured. The Senate is Serious. Very, very Serious.

            When a House member wants to say something that might hurt someone's feelings, they clothe it elaborately in the robes of good-humored jabs. David is responsible for leading the House in that direction. He enlists help from all sides. Decorum is maintained. Things get done quickly. So quickly in fact, that the House often gets criticized for its swiftness. People simply can't understand how so many people can do so much work in so few short hours.

            This is not to undermine the excellent work done by the House's ranking members (they need to change that terminology, by the way) and whips. But if you don't have a Speaker with the talents of David Wilkins, the job will not get done nearly as fast or with such understanding and respect for one another.

            Now, what does all this have to do with being ambassador to our friends in the cold north? Simply this: they are a curious, cantankerous, independent lot. Sounds a lot like South Carolina politicians to me. Think of it: an entire country of Palmetto politicians(!) Most of them like the South and hate the North (old wounds heal long), but the ones in power, right now, don't like any of us or will use us for their political gain. A man like David Wilkins will speak for America and bring all of his ability to bear to get even the thoughtless to come together for our mutual good.

            Some would say that David is just exhibiting the best in South Carolina's gentlefolk. Maybe. But I think it's something more. And maybe those who have known him longer, know better. I've only known him for 22 years.

            The irony of it all is that the same qualities that he would use in service to the country are the same qualities that keep our government swift, honorable, accountable, and helpful to the people of this state.

            Finally, I know he wanted to make this decision in private. But he can't. It's not the nature of an open society in which he is a major player. Perhaps that's the biggest decision he will make and the greatest lesson he'll learn from all of this.

            In case you haven't noticed, the relationship between Canada and America are not real hot these days. Frankly, I know I'd feel better if he were there, doing the Wilkins thing. On the other hand, I'd feel even better if David Wilkins would just stay here and be Mr. Speaker.