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Every presidential election is important.

At 22 years-old, I am not nearly old enough to tell you where next year's election ranks on the all-time list of historical significance, but I am not afraid to say that it is probably pretty high up there.

The state of the world both politically and ecologically is as volatile as it has ever been. Our country is bogged down in a war in the Middle East that will end in no simple fashion. We will have spent nearly $500 billion on it by the time you finish reading this. All of this is in addition to the fact that we have any number of domestic issues like health care, social security and a declining economy to take care of as well.

All of a sudden, being president isn't necessarily all it's cracked up to be.

Almost every kid at one point or another has said that he or she wants to be the president, but now who really wants the job? Who is qualified for it? And most importantly, can Americans come together to pick the right person for the Oval Office?

Photo by JIMMIE PRESLEY / Daily News

Rudy Giuliani speaks to supporters at the Three Oaks Banquet Hall in Estero on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007. Giuliani is a republican presidential candidate.

And one thing Southwest Florida needs to keep in mind now more than ever is this: Don't drink the campaign Kool-Aid.

Mix it up, let it sit, swish it around in your mouth so you can taste it… but don't swallow it just yet.

Here's why: All of a sudden, our little stretch of the Gulf Coast is a pretty important place for potential presidential candidates to visit.

Republican Fred Thompson paid a visit to Cape Coral last month, and republican Mitt Romney is coming later this month. John Edwards spoke in Fort Myers in the spring, but has been the only democrat to make a stop in the area.

On October 6, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani came to speak to a crowded banquet hall at the Three Oaks Banquet and Conference Center in Estero. The crowd in attendance was of an older variety, with a spattering of younger adults and college students. Although he only spoke for about an hour, Giuliani did say some important things.

Beyond the expected comments about why he is the man for the job and not wanting to talk about his Yankees playing poorly, he spoke primarily about the war in Iraq and his stance on immigration.

**The War**

Giuliani made it clear that the best thing for America is to stay in Iraq until the problems there are solved.

"It's important to remember why we're over there," he said. "We are there to help create a stable government and create an ally against terrorism. Why wouldn't we try and win?"

That stance doesn't seem to fit much of the conversation when it comes to what the best answer is overseas these days. Much of the focus has been on troop withdrawal, but even the reality of that is just getting the number of soldiers in Iraq back down to the pre-surge level.

When Giuliani got around to speaking about Iran, he characterized it as 'more dangerous' to America than Iraq. He said that he would do everything in his power to keep Iran from becoming a nuclear power.

That led to one of the more eyebrow-raising quotes of the morning.

As if taking a page right out of the Team America: World Police screenplay, the former mayor said, "If (America) is heading in the wrong direction, what is going to happen with the rest of the world? We are its last great hope."

That kind of bold speaking might be confused with arrogance, but the audience seemed to agree.

"He possesses the skills that can be attributed to a great leader," said Erik Hansen, 23. "I think that if you look at why Bush's approval is negative, it's largely because of Iraq. I think if you bring in new leadership it will also bring renewed confidence, especially from someone not wanting to withdraw."

Hansen currently attends Florida Gulf Coast University, and was in attendance with James Barger, 26, who graduated from FGCU last year.

Photo by JIMMIE PRESLEY / Daily News

Rudy Giuliani signs his autograph to supporters after he spoke at a campaign stop at the Three Oaks Banquet Hall in Estero on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007. Giuliani is a republican presidential candidate.

Barger also supports what Giuliani wants to accomplish.

"Rudy has some good ideas about what to do with Iraq," he said. "He said today, 'What army gives the enemy a timetable for its retreat?'"

While it is unreasonable to expect a quick end to the war in Iraq – particularly if it includes staying there in the long run – something can be said for taking a stance and staying focused on a specific goal.

Like Bush, there’s no question that Giuliani’s attitude is the now famous (or infamous) 'stay the course.' But in response to another question about his thoughts on the role of the United Nations, the former mayor criticized its international involvement, saying it was good with its charitable work, but lacked assertiveness in militaristic issues.

**Immigration**

Despite receiving past criticism for his immigration policies in New York, Giuliani didn’t dance around the issue at all during his speaking engagement in Estero.

Very simply, Giuliani said he would like to see America come to the point where every immigrant in the country will be issued a tamper-proof identification card. He added that the threat of continuing to allow immigrants to cross to our borders illegally is too great.

"You might have 1000 people sneak across the border in a night," he said. "And out of that group 995 might be very good people, but what if three or for of them weren't, and what if one was a terrorist?"

Giuliani's solution was to build both a physical wall and technological system paired with an expansion of border patrol that will allow a quick deployment to wherever potential immigrants may be trying to pass through.

While he mentioned the role of immigrants as necessary for the country, he also stressed that each must be accounted for, before they can be allowed to reap the same benefits that citizens do. As he said that, the man behind me sneered, and muttered something about giving away jobs.

Not long after that, Giuliani bid his farewell and stressed the importance of Florida in the upcoming election. Not just because of “hanging chads,” but because of the primary held on January 29, and the significant number of electoral votes the state represents.

It was good to see such a large turnout for someone that may not even be chosen to represent the Republican Party in 2008, but it's more important that people pay attention to what each and every candidate says or doesn’t say. Now is the time to listen carefully and be discerning.

Politicians get where they want to be by making promises, but presidents can only be judged by how well they keep them.

Giuliani coming down here was a great opportunity for Southwest Florida to catch a glimpse of what kind of Kool-Aid he will be serving up at his house, but let's make sure we try as many flavors as we can before we decide which one is going to be right for us – we certainly will have the chance.