[Lerkfish]

this is just a thread about what qualities do you consider important for the president to have.
Anyone can answer, republican or democrat, but I'm asking unrelated to current choices, just generically what do you consider important?

Just as an example:

someone might say:

1. decisiveness
2. integrity
3. charisma
4. diplomatic

etc.

[osiris]

A Humanitarian President who puts the needs of the people before the needs of the Military Industrial Complex. Of course the military would kill that particular President, but that's besides the point.

[davesimondotcom]

Leadership.

[effgee]

1. honesty
2. integrity
3. open-mindedness

none of these characteristics are found in any politician anywhere - so i'll stick with tony scalia - since the outcome of the most recent (important) elections seem to be decided by courts rather than the electorate anyway.

[christ]

Someone who agrees with me on every policy decision, therefore:

Sensible
Not prone to peer pressure
Non-imperialist
Non-member of any pressure group, (nor affiliated to any)

Anyone that stands is automatically excluded from office.

But as noted elsewhere, I think that the best solution is to not vote, as voting only encourages them.

[eklipse]

[WinsOBoogi]

OPRAH!

lol...I love that Michael Moore thing.

Bill Maher or Al Franken.

Seriously.

[chris v]

Originally posted by WinsOBoogi:
OPRAH!

Why the hell not? I especially love the "Presidential book-of-the-week club" thing. She could win.

CV

[BRussell]

To me their political philosophy is more important than personal qualities. I think more often than not, those personal qualities are merely conjured up to be attacking points, like Al Gore is a liar or Bush is dumb.

[WinsOBoogi]

Originally posted by BRussell:
Bush is dumb.

Amen. Oh, did I just commit suicide

[DeathToWindows]

Anyone who can read, understand and cognate on the ideas of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

In other words - not bush.

[macintologist]

A president who is a great speaker, an academic, and knows 6 languages fluently: English, Spanish, French, German, Arabic, Russian. And during a "my fellow Americans" speech, he/she would repeat the same speech in all those languages and the respected media of those countries would show clips from that version on their newscast.

F***ing kickass president that would be!!

[villalobos]

Sorry could not help

villa

[BRussell]

Originally posted by WinsOBoogi:

--------------------------
quote:
Originally posted by BRussell:
Bush is dumb.
--------------------------
Amen. Oh, did I just commit suicide

Did I really say that?

[zigzag]

It's a great question but difficult to answer. Some of the qualities I want might be incompatible. Is it possible to combine Clintonian analysis/deliberation with Bush's decisiveness? Not sure. Similarly, I think life experience teaches moderation, but sometimes radical surgery is called for. Compassionate, but able to make long-term decisions that might cause short-term pain?

I suppose an ideal President would be capable of different kinds of decision-making and know when to apply which. Life itself is full of contradictions and an ideal President would have to be able to navigate that mine field.

Charisma isn't essential but doesn't hurt. One wants to like one's leaders, and it makes it easier for them to lead. I also like someone who's articulate - it inspires a feeling that the person is intelligent and in command of the job.

[ghost_flash]

[saab95]

What would be your ideal candidate for president?

Thomas Jefferson

[Twilly Spree]

[phoenixboy]

[SimeyTheLimey]

Originally posted by saab95:
Thomas Jefferson

With, or without the slaves?

[macvillage.net]

I'll take this one seriously. Here are people I'd actually consider (in no particular order):


Colin Powell - doesn't fear going against his own party, or anyone who backs him.

Steve Jobs - no joke. Fresh political blood, and very much able to think outside the box. Would be a good thing for the US.

Rudy Giuliani - knows how to keep control, and reassure the public. Something a person like Bush is completely incapable of. Cool head, strong, determined... won't stop short of getting what he wants done.

Jesse Ventura - also doesn't like the whole political deal. Would never get back into politics. But he runs with his own head. Not what the wallets tell him.

Ben Stein - think he's boring, and annyoing voice... But he realizes more than perhaps any other American how unless we start working on a global level as part of an international community... the US will continue to suffer. His understanding of working on a global level economically, and politically was far ahead of it's time. Listened to him 10-15 years ago, the world would be a much safer place.



Do I think any would ever run? No, to bright for dealing with the stupidity of american politics.

I don't think any would do it, since they know they would be only puppets. But if it were based on capacity, knowledge and insight. They would be the ones.

Put them together, and the US would be in much better shape.