When I think about the American President's office I tend to consider it in terms of the leadership qualities of the office holder.
Generally speaking, it seems we Americans tend to want things stated simply. So perhaps if we thought of presidential qualities in terms of broad leadership styles we could create some categories like, General, Diplomat, Ideologue, Idealist, Futurist, Common Sensor, Practical/Realist.
If you accept these categories add some of your own or use your own words. It seems to me that in any given 4 year period, no single leadership style would serve the office or the Union well.
You can probably see where I'm going with this. A blended leadership style, or a person with the ability to flex their style according to that which is appropriate for any given situation or set of events is perhaps the most desirable? <----- ?="upspeak" at the end of that sentence.
So, for example, we probably want a "General" leadership style on 9/11/2001. Hence, the criticisms of President Bush's hesitation in the classroom of little children when he was informed "...the nation is under attack." We tend to think of generals as being decisive and quick, not contemplative.
What leadership style did we have for the health care reform bill? What leadership style did we need?
Well, it's something for us to consider whenever we vote for someone to assume a public office.
Keep on thinkin' ........... Jack
