“They say a good man (or woman) can’t get elected President”
During the Bush presidency we’ve had plenty of opportunities to discern what we don’t want in a national leader. Since I’ve detailed my thoughts about this a number of times in previous posts, I won’t recount what I find lacking in our current president again in this one.
What I want to do today is to start a conversation about what attributes we really want in our leaders. Regardless of where you find yourself on the political spectrum, I offer a few for your consideration:
- Integrity
- Honesty
- Authenticity
- Courage
- Compassion
- Wisdom
- Emotional intelligence
- Spirituality
- Self-knowledge
- Inspiring
So what are your thoughts and feelings on this? What attributes would you add to my list? Which ones don’t seem as important to you?
They say a good man can’t get elected president
The initial episode of season two of The West Wing features a flashback to Jed Bartlet’s 
first presidential campaign. Campaign manager Leo McGarry has just fired almost ever member of Jed’s campaign staff. Jed is unhappy with Leo’s decision, especially since Leo didn’t consult him.
Leo: Yeah, you know why? ’cause you’re a crappy politician. I think you’ll find I’ll be making a lot of decisions on my own so start getting use to it.
Jed: You know I got elected to Congress by this state. This state sent me to Congress three times and then elected me governor. All without your help.
Leo: No seriously, that’s a real accomplishment considering your family founded this state. Were you even opposed in any of those elections?
Jed: You got rid of all the people I know.
Leo: Yeah, have a good night.
Jed: Why are you doing this? You’re a player. You’re bigger in the party than I am. Hoynes would make you national chairman. Leo, tell me this isn’t one of the twelve steps.
Leo: That’s what it is. Right after admitting that we’re powerless over alcohol and that a higher power can restore us to sanity. That’s where you come in…. Because I’m tired of it: year after year after year after year having to choose between the lesser of who cares. Of trying to get myself excited about a candidate who can speak in complete sentences. Of setting the bar so low, I can hardly bear to look at it. They say a good man can’t get elected President. I don’t believe that. Do you?”
I think a good man or woman can be elected president. How about you?
Watch the clip of the West Wing scene described above by clicking on the play button below.
Saturday, May 26th, 20072 Comments »
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Hi Bruce,
Good on you for talking about what you want. I believe in talking about what I want as opposed to what I don’t want. This whole “fight on terrorism” could be changed to the Love of the World.
I am from Toronto originally and now living in New Zealand, however, my principles around a government have’t changed. I would love to see/hear a government come into power having said: “We will raise taxes or do this and do that and get this and that” and then actually do that. That’s integrity. That’s something I would love to see more and more. Honesty and yes all of the things you mentioned.
Love and gratitude to you,
Chris
Comment by Chris Lewis — May 28, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
[…] My mentors and heroes, including my great-grandmother Mae McCarthy with her earthy and wise ways, Brad Brown who first encouraged me to call myself a writer, Bandit who shows me how to be fully present in the moment, Nelson Mandela for his steadfastness and his willingness to forgive, Martin Luther King, Jr. for his compassion and his love of all humankind, John Hoover who has been a guiding light of wisdom and insight since the early ’80s, Martin Sheen for standing in as my fantasy president during the past seven years and for his willingness to go to jail for his beliefs […]
Pingback by Talking My Walk: Random Musings on Life, the Universe and Everything-- » Some of the things I’m grateful for this Thanksgiving — November 24, 2007 @ 10:35 am