To the disappointment of some, Matthew McConaughey did what he promised a few days ago, and announced whether he would throw his hat in the ring for Texas Governor.

His Answer?

Not this time.

From The Hill:

Actor Matthew McConaughey on Sunday shot down swirling speculation that he might launch a gubernatorial bid in his home state of Texas.

The “True Detective” star announced his decision to not enter the political arena in a video message posted to Twitter, saying he ultimately decided not to mount a challenge against GOP Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

McConaughey posted a three-minute video to Twitter, which was quite thoughtful and insightful. One wishes that every person considering political office (even re-election) would bother to reflect on whether this is their time, and whether it is time for them to gracefully leave the stage.

🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/CKIYE7V6v6

— Matthew McConaughey (@McConaughey) November 29, 2021

Over the past two years I’ve been working on the answers to the question of how I can be most useful in this life going forward. Useful to myself, useful to my family, and to the most amount of people. One category of service I’ve been exploring is politics. I’ve been considering a run for governor of Texas, and I’ve been listening, I’ve been learning, I’ve been measuring. I’ve been studying Texas politics and American politics. What have I learned? A lot! That we have some problems that we need to fix. That our politics needs new purpose. That we have divides that need healing. That we need more trust in our lives. And we got to start shining a light on our shared values, the ones that cross party lines, the ones that build bridges instead of burn ’em. That our children are our greatest asset, so hey, let’s be as good of parents as we can be.

It’s a warm up, but about as substantive as “Hope” and “Change.” Nobody’s falling for that anymore. However, the rest of what he had to say had quite a bit of meat.

I’ve learned that freedom comes with responsibility, and that great leaders serve. Whether a politician, a CEO, a star quarterback. a mother, father, husband, wife, brother, mentor, friend or teacher, we lead by serving each other. We lead through our service.

Well, damn Matthew! That needs to be stitched on a canvas and put on every politician’s wall. If McConaughey keeps that mindset when and if he does choose to run for office, then he will indeed make a difference.

What is service? Service is taking on responsibility today, so we can have more freedom tomorrow. Service is making the better choice for you and for me. Service is the investment that we make in ourselves. So, can we recognize that when we serve others, we actually serve ourselves, and vice versa?

One wonders if McConaughey read the Gospel of John, chapter 13 before he did this video, because he nicely encapsulated some of its finer points.

Do we have the courage to help out more than we hurt? Can we expect to get what we earn? More than what we think we deserve? Can we give ourselves more reasons to trust each other first, instead of last?

That’s the leadership that we need. That’s the investment in our state and in our country that we need. That’s the investment we need. As a simple kid born in a little town of Uvalde, Tex., it never occurred to me that I would one day be considered for political leadership. It’s a humbling and inspiring path to ponder. It is also a path that I am choosing not to take at this moment.

This is the right decision. Polling indicated that despite McConaughey’s name recognition and alternative creds, he still trailed behind Governor Greg Abbott; not because Abbott’s all that popular, but because he’s familiar. Sadly, most people stick with the devil they know (see, Recall, California, Newsom, Gavin), rather than take a chance on change. Something any candidate needs to consider when going up against an incumbent. Too many enter a race without a clear strategy on how to do that; then there are others who simply stay too long at the Fair when they should step down.

McConaughey ends his message by laying out what he plans to do with his newfound knowledge and insight.

What are we going to do? We are going to continue to work and invest the bounty I have by supporting entrepreneurs, businesses, and foundations that I believe are leaders. Establishments that I believe are creating pathways for people to succeed in life. Organizations that have a mission to serve and build trust, while also generating prosperity. That’s the American Dream! Politicians… the good ones can help us to get to where we need to go, yeah. But let’s be clear: They can’t do anything for us unless we choose to do for ourselves.

Boom! Whether McConaughey runs as a Democrat, Independent, or whatever, the fact that he is choosing to talk about self-reliance and values that matter will help cement him as a potential in people’s minds.

So, to the leaders and the servants out there, and the leader and servant in each one of us, Cheers to you! Here’s to the freedom to be you. The freedom to be me. And to our responsibility to be us. In the mean time, and at all times, and until next time…

As usual, McConaughey ends with a flourish. Of course, the next question he needs to answer:

Will he endorse Robert Francis O’Rourke or Gov. Greg Abbott?