I will reserve comment on my view until later, but in the wake of one of the few opportunities we have had thus far to see the President confronted with serious questions, and have to think on his feet, I wondered yet again what, exactly, he brings to the table. I would like this to NOT be a relative to the competition thing...not vs. Kerry, or vs. Gore, but as a world leader, as a President, what do you think are his strengths. In the categories, I enabled the function wherein you can choose more than one. I also would seriously ask people to explain their choices. For example, if you click on 'intelligence', please explain why you feel that to be the case. I also tried, as much as possible, to keep out qualities that conform to one idealogy over another, like 'vision', because 'vision' is simply another word for 'I like his agenda.'
I voted other. I believe that he has a good idea about what his weaknesses are and has no problem surrounding himself with people that will help him. As much as I disagree with this administration, it's hard to say that Rice, Powell, Rumsfeld, et al. aren't intelligent people.
Fund raising ability is a strength. His has a great ability to connect with the Bubbas of the electorate.
I meant to clarify this is the first post...I honestly tried to remain objective when coming up with the options, and not tailor them to paint Bush in a bad light. For example, many of you know I like Clark. It was with him in mind that I distinguished between intelligence, wisdom, and quickness/awareness. He has the first two, but the third sometimes seems lacking, whether rightly or wrongly. In other words, I wasn't thinking " What does Bush not have?" and make a list to prove my point. I am seriously curious about this, because I honestly donlt know what people's answers will be. If people don't understand the qualities I've chosen, please ask for clarification before answering. As for the last option, again, please don't pick partisan issues like " Has a vision for the counties future." because, as stated, everyone does, and we only say that about people we agree with, so it means nothing excpet he shares your positions. Also, don't make sarcastic categories like " Verbal skills.", as the point is covered in communication/charisma, and there isn't any need to belabour the point. I am really looking for an objective response pool here. I am very curious to see what others see in Bush that I don't.
As that was one of the reasons I voted for him in the first place, I considered it as an option...but I felt that intelligence and leadership covered it. I am cool with you specifying it, though.
Where did I say that? I am not asking which party affiliation you support, or what your stances are. You may share many stances on issues with your next door neighbour, doesn't mean he'd make a good President. I am talking about what makes Bush himself a good President, even to those who agree with his stances, aside from same. BTW, are you the one who voted for intelligence?
I see where Trader_Jorge's coming from, however. To most, it doesn't matter what qualities a person possesses as long as they're the candidate whose stances on the issues is closest to their's. All of this other stuff is merely trivial. I think for the most part I agree. However, there are things that we should look for that make our leader respected in the real world. A penchang for receiving blowjobs from interns or being a horrendous public speaker are qualities that people may and, most likely, should want to avoid when it comes to choosing the most powerful man in the world.
You implied it by excluding it from the analysis. I support Bush because I side with him on so many of the issues.
Right, but you can't objectivly call someone's positions 'strengths', other than to say that they agree with your bias. As I said, you could find hundreds of thousands who agree with your positions as much as any Presidential candidate...I am asking about the candidates abilities above and beyond agreeing/disagreeing with your views. Therr is, I think, a lot more to being President that carrying the baggage you came in with.
I didn't ask why you support Bush. ...sigh. Either you donlt understand, or donlt want to. Either way.
I used to think the guy had conviction, but the way he has sold out to the special interests in his party, I can't even say that now.
I voted for leadership/ sense of command. Of course Hitler had that quality too. Bush is cocksure. It is easy to be so when you don't have too much info and you don't read a newspaper, but get your news spoon fed to you. As a third generation blueblood Bush always assumed he would command, own or be served the rest of us. I also voted for quickness and awareness, with some qualifications. Bush is good at reading people and has the knack of a born salesman.. Good first impression, but not as good when it comes time to some work or some deeper explanation. In retrospect I probably should have voted for charisma as he has this more than the charisma challenged Gore, to say nothing of that dork, Lieberman. Of course he has much less than someone with world class charisma like Clinton.
I think Bush has a nice charisma that serves him well. He's also able to dumb an issue down enough so that anybody can understand the broad generalities of it.
Other. I do not see anything positive about him even though he 'claims' he is a devout Christian like myself. He is not sincere. He is not in control of his administration. He is a hypocrite. He is not intelligent He is more of a politian than he lets on. He is a bully. He is ignorant. He does not care. He is not articulate. He is an extreemist. Hey I don't even like Gore either but I know he is intelligent. I don't like many politicians left or right but there is at least one thing I admire in them. Amazingly there is absolutely NOTHING I like or admire about the current presido. I cring everytime I see him on TV. The people who keep heaping praises on him flabagast me even more. Man is just evil (left or right) - he will do or say whatever to protect his interest. I guess I am not different but.... I pray GWB gets shown the exit come November so that this nightmare will come to an end.
He is the " master of low expectations". He does not seem threatening when he speaks. He has gotten rich people to give him tons of money. He is good at letting others attack his opponents, while acting like he is above it all. He seems friendly, if you never discuss what he's done for a living. He is a good nickname giver.
