What qualities make a good president?

by Richard L. Weaver II

There are so many people and so many ideas about the qualities they want to see in a president, and, yet, it is surprising how often judgment about who they would vote for often comes down to a single item. For example, some will say, “I come from a Republican family; I was raised as a Republican; I will vote Republican [no matter who the candidate is]” or a similar comment. For others, who they vote for may come down to the single issue of experience, pro-life or pro-choice, pro-Abortion or not, pro gay-marriage or not, gun control, tax breaks for the very wealthy, pro-big business vs. pro-mainstreet, or some other issue or cause they support. In the forthcoming election, it may also come down to the issue of race, and if a woman was heading one of the tickets, then it could have been a gender issue, too.

The presidential election of 2008-2009 offers citizens the most dramatic set of choices in our history, and no one can look at both parties or both candidates and say, “One party [or candidate] is as good [or bad] as the other.” The distinctions are real, and they are substantive.

But the intention of this essay is not to clarify either the issues or the candidates’ stand on the issues. This is, rather (as much as is possible) a non-partisan essay designed specifically to formulate a set of credentials for whomever is to serve our country as president. It is then up to the reader, using this set of credentials or any other, to determine which candidate best measures up. The underlying intention, or ulterior motive, is to show how voting for a president requires a broad array of judgments, and using a single issue or even a small set of issues can easily betray one in making the best choice.

Ultimately, and this is important, who people vote for for president must be based on a dual set of characteristics. That is, it must be based on the qualities candidates will bring to the Oval Office as well as the qualities that make them a good candidate. That is, certain individuals will suit the times because of their peculiar character, just as one can easily delineate all the characteristics they would like to see in a person who becomes president regardless of who is running for the office. This essay is about the latter, however, often it is the former (the qualities candidates bring to the office) that get them elected.

One clear caveat must be that no candidate will be perfect, of course, and reasonable people will always differ on whether or not a candidate possesses the characteristics or not. This is the nature of the “beast” that is the subject of this essay.

All right, my first essential characteristic is that I want someone we can trust who can make rational, intelligent decisions that are in our country’s long-term best interests. Rational, intelligent decision-making requires thoughtful consideration — not making quick decisions, shooting from the hip, revealing macho bravado and instant decisiveness, operating on “gut” thinking, or following a plan only when the stars are properly aligned. I am looking for competence that includes superior intellectual ability.

This first quality rules out the desire for “someone who looks and acts like the average person,” “the person you could see yourself sitting down and having a beer with, “ or the quality reflected in the statement, “I like him (or her) because he (or she) is like us.” Presidents must not represent the average person. They must be intellectually superior and reveal flexibility and open-mindedness.

Part of the trust we place in presidents is that they will surround themselves with knowledgeable, clear-headed, experienced people who reveal divergent interests, suggest alternative points of view, and keep them (presidents) abreast of all there is to know about issues and problems. To have them surround themselves only with friends, sycophants, and “yes-men” (or “yes-women”) who subscribe to the same philosophy and support only the party-line-truths is a recipe for failure.

The second characteristic is that I want presidents willing to admit they are wrong or that an idea, program, suggestion, or approach was a failure. Admissions of personal failure or mistakes (without blaming the opposing candidate, party, or anyone else) are indicators of strength of character and people who are comfortable and secure with themselves.

The third characteristic is willingness to confront difficult problems and issues. Despite the political climate, opposing forces, lobbyists, and special interests, presidents must be willing to face the numerous problems of our society, and based on serious and mature reflection, present realistic and acceptable ways to deal with them. Presidents must be hard working and persistent.

The fourth characteristic is that I want presidents to represent all the people — not just the less fortunate nor just the rich. I want presidents to strive to do well for everyone. People of all colors, of all professions (and even those without one), of all levels of wealth (including those with no wealth at all), must feel that their president is looking out for their best interests, making judgments and decisions that will help them become better citizens, more improved human beings, or the society or environment in which they exist more suitable.

The fifth characteristic is that I want presidents willing to be transparent. I want them to tell me the truth. That is, I don’t want to be humored, coddled, or treated as a naive child incapable of understanding reality or making decisions. Presidents must be willing to share ideas and information openly with citizens, and they must be willing to listen to and, when appropriate, adjust to the views of those who disagree with them — rather than rejecting them outright or, using their “bully pulpit” to call their ideas irrelevant, insignificant, or inconsequential. There must be honest and demonstrated tolerance for those who disagree with them.

The sixth characteristic is that I want presidents who will truly unify the country, bringing disparate interests together, reaching across the isle to get things done and make progress, and who will make an indelible impression on everyone for their ability to make friends, generate warmth, demonstrate generosity, develop trust, and reveal kindness in this country and around the world. They must tolerate stress and adversity and demonstrate, as well, assertiveness.

These six characteristics provide a broad but sufficient base for measuring the qualifications of a potential president. There are a number of characteristics, however, that are (and should be) totally irrelevant to becoming president like a candidate's religion, marital history, race or ethnicity, financial background, or gender. If we are lucky enough to find a candidate who fulfills all six characteristics, he or she should not just get our vote, but, perhaps, be considered for the position of king or queen.

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Ann McFeatters, syndicated columnist, has written, “Qualities for next president,” for the Daily News Tribune. Her essay adds some important qualities — like the ability to inspire others — to those I have mentioned above. This is a “must read” essay.

At MegaEssays.com, there is a short essay, “Qualities of a great president.” The essay primarily focuses on leadership qualities that are important.

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Contact Richard L. Weaver II