In today's society, when Americans seem to want leaders above politicians, Ralph Carr stands out. He told anyone who would listen, he didn't take his job "to feel the public pulse or to follow the public demand.” He went so far as to get a Japanese-American woman out of an internment camp, to come live at his house and serve as a nanny to his first grandchild. All along neighbors would ask, “Aren’t you afraid you’ll wake up and the baby will be dead.”

Ralph Carr was not afraid. He would not stereotype. He would not assume the worst in people and absolutely, would not judge them based on their race, ethnicity or heritage.

He debated the role of the federal government during a time of war, immigration, and civil rights much the way we are some 65 years later with the Patriot Act, government surveillance and Guantanamo Bay.

Ralph Carr's the type of leader we all say we want, but don't necessarily appreciate when we have the chance. As numerous candidates strive to become the most powerful person in the world, it is fair to ask them, “Would you walk away from the opportunity for principle?”

Former U.S. Senator Henry Clay once said, “I would rather be right than be President.”

Ralph Carr was right and as a result, he lost his career.