If you were asked to describe a good president, how would you do it?

[Darth_Ole]

Our history class is doing a presidential playoff bracket, matching up various presidents to see who comes out on top. I'm stuck with some stupid partners, unfortunately.

I was wondering what you all thought. If you were asked to come up with a set of criteria on defining a "good" president, what would you do?

I would say how they dealt with adversity is the biggie. The adversity that you endure and overcome is really the test of any human being. That is why FDR, JFK, and Lincoln are tops in my book.

[fooj]

1. Integrity is a big one, IMO!

Peace.

[laugle]

2. One word......CLINTON!!!!! n/t

[napi21]

3. Complete honesty!

Every President has his own agenda, and it's really up to the voters to find out what it is before they vote! That being said, I think the first and over-riding quality is honesty! Say what is real, even if you might not get elected next time! Listen to your opposition. Just once in a while, you might find out you're wrong! And last, remember you represent a GREAT Country, NEVER embarass the Country or her people!

[PleadTheFirst]

4. "Not Bush"?

:7

[mwb970]

5. A good president would be the president of *all* Americans.

(Not just the super-rich and religious zealots.)

He or she would want America to be considered a good citizen of the world and would make this a priority. He or she would be fiscally responsible with the Treasury's money, realizing that it belongs to all Americans, not to the president.

He or she would be an honest "straight shooter", someone we could look up to, someone who would set an example for all Americans. A good president would be willing to admit mistakes and move on.

And most importantly, he or she would be a uniter, not a divider.

[indepat]

6. A good president uphold his oath of office to preserve, protect, and

defend the Constitution of the United States from all enemies, both foreign and demestic. A good president fosters policies which promote the general welfare and the equal justice under the law doctrines. A good president will keep our country economically strong by promoting responsible fiscal and tax policies and by spending every military dollar wisely. A good president will promote world order and international cooperation and use the vast resources and wealth of this nation to help make this a better world to live in by protecting the environment and helping stamp out disease and poverty throughout the world. A good president will realize that we cannot have long-term internal strength and security, no matter how strong our military, without a fiscally sound federal government that is both willing and able to meet all debt and other obligations, and promotes the general welfare of all its people.

[Henny Penny]

7. Democrat!

[Bleacher Creature]

8. List all of the characteristics of the current occupant.

And take the opposite.

[WildClarySage]

9. A good prez takes responsibility for the actions of his administration.

[Craig3410]

10. Watch the bracket com down to FDR and Reagan.

The president who led us during a world war and helped the poor- and middle class vs. Red-Ink Ron.

Hmmm... I wonder who I would pick. :eyes:

[tabasco]

11. Here are some leadership traits from an Army publication:

Honesty: Display sincerity, integrity, and candor in all your actions. Deceptive behavior will not inspire trust in your people.
Competent - Your actions should be based on reason and moral principles. Do not make decisions based on childlike emotional desires or feelings.

Forward-looking: Set goals and have a vision of the future. The vision must be owned throughout the organization. Effective leaders envision what they want and how to get it. They habitually pick priorities stemming from their basic values.

Inspiring: Display confidence in all that you do. By showing endurance in mental, physical, and spiritual stamina, you will inspire your people to reach for new heights. Take charge when necessary.

Intelligen: Read, study, and seek challenging assignments.

Fair-minded: Show fair treatment to all people. Prejudice is the enemy of justice. Display empathy by being sensitive to the feelings, values, interests, and well-being of others.

Broad-minded: Seek out diversity.

Courageous: Have the perseverance to accomplish a goal, regardless of the seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Display a confident calmness when under stress.

Straightforward: Use sound judgment to make a good decision at the right time.

Imaginative: Make timely and appropriate changes in thinking, plans, and methods. Show creativity by thinking of new and better goals, ideas, and solutions to problems.


>>>Doe Bush exemplify ANY of these traits???<<<<<

[Hippo_Tron]

12. I dunno if we've had a great President ever

All of the "great" ones also have huge mistakes/flaws

Lincoln - Unconstitutional trials of civillians in military courts

FDR - Internment camps

JFK - Voter fraud in Illinois

Raygun (to the GOP he's one of the greatest) - Iran contra

I think the one with the most integrity was by far Jimmy Carter, but his presidency was certainly not one of great accomplishment either.

[Bluzmann57]

13. Ok you asked an opinion and here's mine

The President is supposed to be elected by the people to serve the people. ALL the people, not just the rich. Now there is no way that any president will ever please all the people, but he or she should be able to listen and consider all opinions and act accordingly. A fine example is JFK's handling of the Cuban missle crisis. He backed down the USSR without having a shot fired. There were people who wanted to blow Cuba and/or the USSR into oblivion, there were some who wanted to just completely let America surrender, but JFK had the best interests of the entire USA in his thoughts and decided accordingly. I will not say who the best ever was, because all men who have been president have had good and bad points, the current president being the possible exception. So in conclusion, I say that handling adversity is certainly a biggie, but so is keeping the peace and the performance of the economy is a biggie too. People, overall, prefer to have jobs and after all, if a person is making money, they are most likely going to be happier than if they are not.

[annabanana]

14. What Kerry would have been if they had counted the votes........eom

[MissWaverly]

15. Here are some Teddy Roosevelt quotes

Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), 26th US President, Republican

When they call the roll in the Senate, the senators do not know whether to answer 'present' or 'guilty.'

The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it."

"The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people."

"Rhetoric is a poor substitute for action, and we have trusted only to rhetoric. If we are really to be a great nation, we must not merely talk; we must act big."

"The great lawyer who employs his talent and his learning in the highly emunerative task of enabling a very wealthy client to override or circumvent the law is doing all that in him lies to encourage the growth in the country of a spirit of dumb anger against all laws and of disbelief in their efficacy."