Pennsylvania. The most important state in the United States. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed within its borders. Three cities (Philadelphia, York, and Lancaster) can proudly declare that they were the nation’s capital at some point in our country’s history. The turning point of the Civil War was fought at the Battle of Gettysburg.

Despite the commonwealth’s fine history, only one native ever made it to become President of the United States. James Buchanan, whose birthday is today, ascended to the White House in 1857, and served until 1861. History remembers him for his complacency that led to the Civil War. His inaction earned him the dubious reputation of having one of the worst tenures in the Oval Office.

Sadly, Pennsylvania has not had the opportunty to redeem itself when it comes to natives becoming president. The current election is one of the closest that it ever came. Three of the four final candidates in the GOP had some roots in Pennsylvania. Rick Santorum served as the state’s senator in Washington, and Ron Paul (Pittsburgh), and Newt Gingrich (Harrisburg) were both born in the state. Ultimately, the Republican Party have effectively decided to select Mitt Romney as its nominee, rebuking the Keystone State. However, given the scandals that followed this trio, their rejections may be a blessing in disguise for the commonwealth.

Why do forty-nine states deny Pennsylvania to have one of its sons or daughters achieve the highest honor in the land? It’s been over one-hundred fifty years since Buchanan returned from Washington to Wheatland. I think that it’s time to end our drought, but the second Keystoner-in-Chief cannot be another national embarrassment.