On Monday, September 12, the Republican candidates held another war of words during the CNN/Tea Party Republican debate. With the primaries quickly approaching, the political trail is ablaze as Republican candidates move full speed ahead.
The entire climate of the United States at the present moment is troublesome. With an unemployment rate at 9.1%, the stock market a daily roller coaster ride, two wars continuing in the Middle East, and a burgeoning deficit, problems abound. The upcoming election will be a pivotal one.
Americans have many individuals to choose from, aside from the Democratic incumbent. A 10-year governor; a multi-million-dollar business man; a former Speaker of the House; a chairwoman of the Tea Party; and a former US Navy mathematician – to name just the more popular ones.
All of this begs the question: what qualities make for a legendary president? Whether Democrat or Republican, the individual we need right now in the White House must possess certain attributes in order to strengthen and exalt this country once again.
In 2007, the Gallup poll reported that both Republicans and Democrats were in agreement about the qualities they were looking for in a 44th president (filled by Mr. Obama). These qualities were: honesty, strong leadership, management skills, and moral integrity.
Back in 1963, Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th president of the United States of America, described to Time magazine six standards he believed any good serving leader must meet. Although he was discussing the 1964 candidates, Eisenhower’s judgments were similar to those ascertained in 2007.
Some of the necessary qualities Eisenhower mentioned were: self-restraint; moral judgment; an understanding of the qualities that make America great; an inner calmness; strength of decision; strength of character; and experience.
As the times changes, more attributes must be added onto the list. The TV-era brought about the need for attractiveness and personality. The notorious Nixon versus Kennedy debate showed Kennedy as the people’s darling, not because he won the debate but because he was so handsome.
Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman further delves into this issue. Postman believed that once public discourse moved onto the TV screen politics became less about ideas and solutions and more about persona.
Postman stated that William Howard Taft, the 27th president, never would have gotten elected if voters knew he was obese. Chris Christie has joked that his weight stands between him and the White House.
So I guess that means “good physique” should be added to the list.
And we may need to tack on “male” as well.
Females seem to face particularly difficult time in the political arena. Each female candidate has had to succumb to a maelstrom of media bias. When Hillary Clinton ran in 2008, gender proved to be a huge detriment, according to a Johns Hopkins University study. She was attacked for attacking, for her pantsuits, and her laugh.
Sarah Palin met similar prejudices. The media highlighted her “beauty queen” status and her flashy outfits, with CNBC anchor Donny Deutsch going as far as saying male voters are only thinking about her in bed.
In more recent controversy, Michele Backmann was featured on the cover of Newsweek looking wide-eyed and rather crazed. The title accompanying the photo? “The Queen of Rage.” The cover did not only prove to raise eyebrows but also doubts as to whether a male candidate would face comparable exploitation.
Aside from physical attractiveness and gender, political aspirants running in the digital-era must be able to cope with 24/7 coverage and 140 character limits. They must promote a constant flow of communication with the public or else risk certain backlash.
Though world of politics has decidedly changed face, many of the century-old prized qualities are still valued today. One can only hope that the almighty 2012 “Chosen One” has what it takes.
