2007-02-02 18:05:36 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Nowadays it most certainly is, because television has become such a powerful medium. People point back to the Kennedy/Nixon debate, when people listening on the radio thought Nixon had made the best argument, but people watching on TV thought Kennedy had made the best argument (largely because Nixon wasn't as good looking, was running a fever that night and so was sweating, and simply didn't have the charisma of JFK). Clinton won in part based on what a truly charming, personable man he was. People mocking first Gore and then Kerry, when running against down-home-feller Bush, made fun of how stiff they could come off. We like to think we can't be conned by a charismatic person but, to a large extent, we can. So we can only hope that our leaders are charismatic *and* competent.
2007-02-02 18:10:18 · answer #1 · answered by Vaughn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, because the power a leader has comes from his followers. If he is charismatic, people will like him and follow him. If not, he wont have followers, and therefore wont be a leader.
2007-02-02 18:10:24 · answer #2 · answered by Marvin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No.
Sometimes that is a handycap.
True leadership actually goes somewhere positive.
It is not about image and narcissism.
.
It is about getting something accomplished.
.
Hitler was a charismatic leader.
What did that lead to?
.
2007-02-02 23:31:21 · answer #3 · answered by Jimmy Dean 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he has to be elected to office - YES - because citizens vote for the Charismatic Candidate.
2007-02-02 19:53:53 · answer #4 · answered by fatsausage 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's good for a leader to be charismatic, but not necessary.
My god........ Al Gore was boring, but he got America's vote.
2007-02-02 18:27:24 · answer #5 · answered by Tumbleweed 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is important. Because:
Exercise of authority is often a poor substitute for building consensus.
2007-02-02 18:16:08 · answer #6 · answered by roostershine 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NIXON WAS CREEPY. SO EVIDENTLY NOT.
HAVE YOU SEEN FOOTAGE OF HIM DEBATING JFK? HE WAS A SWEATING GHOSTLY MESS.
2007-02-02 18:15:14 · answer #7 · answered by BUSH SMOKING POT 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋