While helping my son with his homework last week, I started thinking about all of the different types of Presidents we have had. Some who were good, some great and others that were, well, they sucked. What I am curious about is if you were going to create the ideal President based on previous Presidents, which trait(s) would you take from them and instill into the "ideal" President? I created 8 characterists/traits to use for this.

charisma > a personal charm and magnetism (attractiveness), along with innate and powerfully sophisticated abilities of interpersonal communication and persuasion.

wit > a form of intellectual humour

intelligence > the capacities to reason, to plan, to solve problems, to think abstractly, to comprehend ideas, to use language, and to learn. There are several ways to define intelligence. In some cases, intelligence may include traits such as creativity, personality, character, knowledge, or wisdom.

honesty > speaking truth and creating trust in minds of others. This includes all varieties of communication, both verbal and non-verbal. Honesty implies a lack of deceit

patriotism > love of and/or devotion to one's country

leadership > described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task”. fulfill three functions: the leader must provide for the well-being of the led, provide a social organization in which people feel relatively secure, and provide a set of beliefs.

generous > liberal in giving or sharing; unselfish

attractiveness > the perception of the physical traits of an individual person as aesthetically pleasing

I can tell you that the existing and most recent Presidents wouldn't be included in this. For "generous", I would use Lincoln. "Charisma" would be Clinton. "Honesty".... yikes... No idea. "Patriotism" and "leadership", give me Eisenhower.

That is based on my limited time on earth (30 years), what I remember from school and what I have picked up over the years. There has to be those on here that have more knowledge and experience then I do. I would love to read your thoughts on this. If there are different "traits" that you think should be included, please let me know.



[edit on 24-8-2009 by Roadblockx]

My ideal for a president would be someone that would hold the values of our Constitution as paramount. A person that firmly believed that no one is served when the Constitution is usurped by dubious directives and laws.

Someone who is enlightened and sees the good in humanity. Someone who sees we are all connected on a human level.
Someone who has not always been rich but knew what it was like as an adult to be poor and suffer.
Someone whol really wants to see change in our country.
Someone who realizes money is just a tool to use and not place so much importance on it.
Somone who realizes he or she is a public servant of the people and not the great powerful ruler.
Someone who is more than just skin deep but is very philosphical.

I truly believe anyone elected for any sort of public office should live on minium wage for one year before taking that office.
The problem we have with current politicans is that they are drastically out of touch. The president has no clue what is like to be an averge american in this recession.

A Social Libertarian. Small government that is only there for the purpose of making sure all Americans have a basic minimum to preserve life, liberty and property.

Ron Paul all the way.Go watch his debates on you tube.There isnt one thing he says I disagree with.