What qualities are we as Americans looking in an ideal president?

Question

According to political Analyst Bill Schneider from CNN
Americans choose their presidents, like spoiled kids do Christmas presents. Americans usually get what they want in a president, but then they discover they want something else.
That's the proverbial question, to which the answer perpetually changes depending on America's mood swings

Answer 1

Essentially I agree with this. We get the leadership we deserve in this country. Most of us pay a lot of lip service to how we need change, but what we really mean is that we want change, we just don't want to have to be the ones doing the work to bring it about. We choose our Presidents based on the equivalent of never ending ad campaign. We get drawn in by catch phrases and slogans. There are people of substance out there running for office, but these are not the people we choose. Instead we settle for the lesser of 2 evils choices which the big 2 political parties continue to present us with.

The qualities I look for are as follows.
Honesty
Integrity
Morals
Conviction

Unfortunately these qualities are almost impossible to find at the Presidential level anymore. Instead what we get are candidates who are paid for by the highest bidder. If they do pay any homage to these values, they do so with the bare minimum required to get elected.

Answer 2

There are several things I think Americans want in their leader. If this sounds a bit sarcastic or taking potshots at my fellow Americans, please understand that I think these are things that people in most democracies want from their leaders as well.

1. A cheerleader. We MUST feel good about our country, and our president must make us feel good about ourselves and our place in the world.

2. Someone not too bright or at least someone who can pretend not to be too bright. We want to be able to understand our president, to think we are as smart as he. That gives us the illusion that anyone can be president. And of course, a simple presidents gives a simple public simple answers to complex questions.

3. Tall and goodlooking. We hate ugly leaders. They don't convince anyone. We want them tall so they look good when standing side to side other world leaders. We hate world leaders that are taller than our own. That's really why so many Americans hate George Bush: he's not tall enough.

4. Someone folksy. Americans love home-spun platitudes coming from their leaders. It makes them seem like regular guys (or perhaps, someday, gals).

5. Someone tough, yet sentimental. We want a President who isn't afraid to kick a**. He must brutal and clear in purpose, without too much cogitation. And yet cute children, puppies and the odd disabled individual who has overcome adversity should melt that otherwise tough exterior and show him to really be nothing more than an old softy. When it doesn't really matter, of course.

There are other things, but that pretty much covers the basics.

Cheers.

Answer 3

I tend to agree. Americans are like the kid in the candy store -- always wanting their favorite candy NOW, without thinking about the ramifications. That's the general American corporate mentality as well -- always looking to just the current financial reports and not willing to look further in to the future. Americans generally do that as well.

Me personally, I look for candidates who have integrity, stick to their guns while enduring the cross-fire, are God fearing, eager to be public servants and not power hungry. Their stands on the issues come lower on my list because the issues are a moving target. If the candidate is one who sincerely tries to make decisions which are best for the country, despite swaying public opinions, then he/she is high on my list.

Answer 4

The next president should NOT be pro-amnesty. Look at the destruction the illegals have caused and the fact that Jorge Bush cares about Mexico more than US citizens.

I also hope for a Conservative vs. a socialist like Hillary!

Answer 5

well let me see. everytime a republician runs this country then they put us in debt and ignore our own. Instead they'd rather spend money on another country and worry about them when we have enough issues in our own country that needs to be addressed. Like the poor, and dont say get off ur lazy butt cause I am in povery but its not my choice. Our children that starve here, ask my kids how many nights we have to live on mac & cheese. Or what about drugs, you know I dont like a 6 yr old tryen 2 sell 2 my 9 yr old. But ohh no, lets just go over there, sit on our butts and loose innocent troops lives and keep giving them our money that is much needed over here instead!

Answer 6

Professor Dingbat, your call says all of it. men do rightly have manliness, and girls have femininity (which, given your answer I doubt you will anticipate women to eschew). a miles better occasion may well be the former British best Minister, Dame Margaret Thatcher. the militia is usualy immune exceptionally lots from the characteristics of maximum presidents besides.

Answer 7

Your reference source is less than ideal. CNN is run by a group of left wing liberal loonies. I vote for President, based on his position on the basic issues. I got what I wanted when I voted for Ronald Reagan. I got about half of what I wanted when I voted for both George Bushes.

Answer 8

I want a mix between MacGuyver, Bill Gates, a trappist monk, and a golden retriever.

Answer 9

someone who has nothing to gain or loose in being our leader,such as franklin d. roosevelt,bound in a wheelchair and speaking nightly on the radio.he sould be on mt. rushmore along with president reagan

Answer 10

The most recent occupant has lowered the bar so much that all I ask at this point is the possession of a brain - But the people voting will have to prove THEY have one first; And they haven't done that for awhile...We'll see...