When I began "The Town Hall Series" in 1998, it was a suggestion by then consultant Steve Shannon. Little did I realize the hidden value this treasure trove of guests would yield.

In a list that now spans 35, including Bill O'Reilly, Lynne Cheney, Fred Barnes, Pat Buchanan, Steve Forbes, Charlie Daniels, Roy Black, Eleanor Clift, just to name a few, seldom have I gotten the direct answers to questions as I received yesterday from former Congressman and now Newsmax.com columnist John Leboutllier.

John first vowed a packed house at the Tiger Bay luncheon, then enlightened and entertained a crowd in a live Town Hall setting on WNDB from Sunset Harbor Yacht Club. Telling an enthusiastic audience he had great fears about the future of this country, specifically as it applies, to government spending, an aggressive yet inconsistent foreign policy, and lack of honest leadership, John took questions, shook hands and spent time with every person who appeared at both functions further cementing a professional relationship that has lasted almost 7 years.

I'd like to thanks my friend and sponsor Brad Giles of Giles Electric and our friends at Tiger Bay for sponsoring the event as well as Sunset Harbor Yacht Club for providing such an excellent setting for the event.

What John says is so true, Americans will have a difficult time choosing their next President unless a candidate can break away from the pack to show independent thinking, and have the political will to leave the country even when his or her policy decisions may be unpopular with the power brokers within his own party.

Former Mayor Larry Kelly was right when he said, "real leadership is making the right decision when everyone else in the room is against you." Someone who has this form of leadership is out there. We just may not have seen him yet.