It’s a question that plagues many of us upon reaching a certain age, who are reassessing our goals and fervent hopes for the future. For many, it can be about continuing a legacy. For others, it’s almost a hilarious accident. Whatever the individual cases may be, it is one of the knottier decisions of a person’s life, made only more complicated by the expectations and sometimes competing desires of family and loved ones. But regardless of extenuating circumstances, there’s never a good time to bring a presidential candidate into the world

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Mitt R., Belmont, Mass

“I’ve talked it over with my wife. We did a lot of soul-searching and back and forth deliberating after which I had to explain myself several times and parse exactly what it was I said. Finally, she told me I should go for it. We worked pretty dang hard at it, too. I even underwent treatment to increase the odds, which I was fine with. You have to be willing to make a sacrifice. That’s what it boils down to. Plus, everybody tells me I look like I’m ready. I think the best approach is just to go with whatever other people tell me I should be doing.”

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Newt G., McLean, VA

“You hear a lot of people saying you should enjoy your autumn years. But I find myself asking ‘How much time do I really have left?’ But, you know, I feel like I’m just getting warmed up. I think I’m better equipped now than in my earlier years. I’m more patient these days, steadier. I don’t get flustered with the small stresses anymore. I also have one blessed thing working in my favor in that I have no career to worry about whatsoever. I remember the quote that goes something like this: ‘Some are great, others have greatness thrust upon them and still others thrust what seemed great at the time onto someone else.’ I don’t know who said that, or what it means, but it’s all somehow about me.”

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Rick S., Penn Hills, PA

“Most of my friends haven’t even begun to think about a presidency. This means I have less in common with them, which can be hard. But no question, I’m definitely going ahead with this. It goes against my core beliefs to cut something short like this and I don’t even feel comfortable around those who do. A presidential candidate is a beautiful, precious miracle and anyone should have the right to proceed with one, no matter how ill advised it may appear to be. I sincerely believe that if we had more candidates in this country, our economy wouldn’t be in the mess it’s in. Anyway, I know I’m ready. I see myself as a deeply caring and nurturing person.”

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Donald T., New York, NY

“The way I see it this will only improve my financial situation. Call me an iconoclast. Please. But really, I gazed at my life up to this point and all my accomplishments and said to myself ’What’s the one thing you don’t have, baby doll?’ The answer was obvious. I want what we all deserve. I want new horizons. I want to know the true meaning of the word ‘birth.’ Can anyone honestly tell me? Because I don’t know. Do you? I want to know what happens to a laughing matter. I want to keep my hopes sky high for the year ahead. I want, more than anything else, everyone to know that I take this decision very seriously.”

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Michelle B., Stillwater, MN

“I’ll say this much, I’m not taking the traditional route. A person has to be careful. Some real crazies out there.”

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Sarah P., Wasilla, AK

“If I can speak very frankly, this was unplanned. It’s not something I talk about much, but in private moments I question the wisdom of getting this ball rolling. I used to have a great job down at town hall. I had time on weekends to gaze out at nature all day from the turret of my helicopter. I look back on these salad hours in envy. I guess I’m just never satisfied. But, then again, no point in tossing around your own regret juice. Because I don’t blink, unless I’m poked or read the news for too long. I think the final needle across the eye of the camel’s back came on the day that realized I’d run out of things to tweet. That’s when I knew this would all be worth it.”

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Barack O., Washington, D.C.

“This is supposed to be old hat for me by now. But the hard truth is that it never does get any easier. In fact, it only gets harder for some reason. Nobody told me that, see. Maybe this time it is, truly, about me. Maybe if the world seems to be falling apart, the only choice for redemption, however inadequate, is another presidency. I don’t know what the word for that would be. A four-letter one, I’m guessing. I’m sorry. I’ve had eight hours of sleep in the last month. Just give me a moment. You can’t expect me to take care of all the boogiemen before this thing comes to term. You know, I’m almost jealous of people like Mitt R. Oh, to be that little twinkle in someone’s eye again.”