In all likelihood, someone has already discussed this. I haven’t read all 230 comments; there just isn’t enough time. That notwithstanding, I’ll put my two cents in.

We can’t sell leadership nor can we buy it, although we can promote it and exploit it. Natural born talent and gifts have as much to do with being a true leader as they do with being a good artist. Leadership can be taught, but if the “student” does not possess the requisite talent and skills, the final product is at best a good “manager.”

Key components or characteristics of a leader are the leader’s ethics, values, and principles, which makes it quite obvious why there are so few true political leaders over time that make it to the presidential level. Then there is the absolute prerequisite characteristic of charisma. No charisma, no leader.

Regrettably, there are no leaders in the Bush administration that present themselves to the public at large. The Rovian ethics and Bush “charisma” (amongst other things) of this administration eliminate the possibility of leadership by default, and we can clearly see the profound negative results of a void of leadership.

John Edwards may have many of us fooled, but I don’t think so. I think leadership is Edward’s greatest asset. I started watching Edwards long before he was a Senator and knew at the time he had substantial possibilities.

This may be the issue we face in trying to solve the question, how do we sell leadership. People have a propensity to follow those that reflect or share similar interests and values, which is quite telling about the values of our American society the past few years. A true leader taking the helm in 2009 will have an enormous challenge to inspire and reorient the basic value system of this country, but it can be done if there are enough high-level followers to help seed the fields.

When I say values, ethics, etc., I do not mean the characteristics often associated with right-wing Judeo-Christian fundamentalist “values,” etc., although some of their values are applicable, but in limited quantities. They have yet to learn, “practice what you preach.”

True leaders do not rise frequently to the level of being a presidential candidate. If you think you see leadership, you will be well served to follow what you see.

Because that’s how I feel.

I typed this out on the Friday after the 2004 election. They say writing is therapeutic for the soul and I needed a whole lotta therapeutasizing (TM) after Kerry’s debacle – especially his concession – especially after he promised to “fight” for the people who invested their time and effort trying to convince others to vote for him because he was a “fighter”. I voted for kerry but not enthusiastically – not because of what I didn’t know – but because of what I did know.

I typed that then as a Deaniac; and former Wellstone voter; and after hearing Barack’s speech at the Democratic convention (before I learned of some of his troubling votes)

I don’t know for whom I’m voting, although it will not be Hillary (even if she’s the nominee); I could vote for Edwards; I could vote for Kucinich; the one person I could definitely vote for is Ron Paul, I don’t agree with everything he says but only the most important things (to me)

I’m not going to hold my nose while voting again

Just my two cents

Similarly, Edwards had an opportunity in 2004 that parallels Gore’s experience in 2000. He came off as much too scripted, unable to seize the reality of the moment and make the story his own. I sense that he might it in him to accomplish this – but his performance in his one debate with Cheney left me feeling very pessimistic about his performance. Again, I need to be convinced. Can he deal with adversity by taking control of the situation? Can his leadership come through without without destroying the compassion that he so clearly treasures?

Obama is just too much of an unknown at this point. His workers have called me (several times) for money, but have made no effort to tell me who he is or why I should feel a part of his efforts. Does he really think he has such an overwhelming personality that all he needs to do is ask? So far, he has just put me off.

Ms. Clinton is too convinced of her own superiority, too self-righteous. I am constantly reminded of her performance on health care in the early years of Bill’s administration. I am too familiar with the failings to which human beings are prone to support the rise of another “cult of personality”. I would feel much better about her if she would just admit that she makes mistakes. More arrogance is clearly NOT what we need in Washington.

I don’t know much about Kucinich, and I know I should make more of an effort to find out more. The MSM makes it very tough on little known candidates, and really does everyone a disservice. However, the fact that he is not well known undeniably says something about him. However, I promise to make more of an effort to educated myself.

I loved WW. The relationships that were portrayed evoke powerful emotions and make us all yearn for the honest and noble values that we saw portrayed. George Bush has shown us the exact opposite – an administration marked by secretive, selfish motives and opaque, convoluted, hidden agendas. What I want to see from a candidate, more than anything else, is a commitment to open, honest, transparent government for the people. So far, no one has shown me that.

But stories do not come in isolation. Edwards has also shown his familiarity with the netroots, and his relationship with the grassroots seems genuine. Also, Edwards has been campaigning so long that he is good in people-to-people contexts.

Thanks again for an insightful post!

Bob in HI

Good to hear your opinion. I’m leaning toward Richardson. I’d love to hear more of your direct experience being governed by him.

Well, I’m supporting Edwards at this point. Richardson has the best vita among the Democratic Party candidates. He’s collected boxtops as a Congresscritter (a good one from most reports), international relations (Clinton’s ambassador to the UN, and his private diplomacy before and since), energy, and executive experience (as governor here.)

The Democratic Party runs our lege, and has since the earth first cooled. We elect R’s now and again for novelty’s sake, especially to send them away to DC, but so far there hasn’t been a way to gerrymander the state lege districts that will allow the R’s anything but minority status.

Richardson has had some problems with the Lege, although not nearly as many as Gary Johnson (R – Toker) had. He called a special session of the legislature as soon as the regular session closed. This pissed off a substantial number of State Senators, who then played some silly games of recessing and returning to session to recess again. They finally figured out that they ought to do something, so they passed some of what Bill wanted (government ethics, limits on campaign contributions, domestic violence, etc.) and dumped the ethics stuff.

So Bill will probably call them back into session in a few weeks. We’ll see how that goes.

One thing you have to understand about our lege. It’s a Ted Mack Amateur Hour thing — they aren’t paid a salary, and they sit in 60 day session (odd years) and 30 day budget sessions (even years.) They tend to resent being called into special session, because it means that they have to leave home and work to go do their legislative duties.

We’ve got more than our share of public corruption. It’s a real problem: our past State Treasurer was indicted and convicted for soliciting and accepting bribes. A very powerful former legislator (Manny Aragon) was indicted last week for fraud and accepting bribes in connection with the Albuquerque Metro Courthouse. And the USAtty’s investigation is continuing … Richardson wants it addressed, the Lege mostly doesn’t seem to want to address the issue. Why should they? There are no limits to campaign contributions now. They can accept dinner at pricey Santa Fe restaurants from lobbyists under the current system. The R’s say, “Elect ethical people and you won’t have ethics problems.” The D’s mostly seem to like the current system. So we’ll see where things go.

Richardson has been fairly successful in strenthening the Governor’s power. Our Constitution provided for a weak-governor system (but not so weak as Texas’). Richardson isn’t a guy who likes being a weak governor, and he’s managed to consolidate power in the Governor’s Office. His most notable success was in creating a Cabinet position for the Secretary of Education in lieu of an elected State Superintendent.

All told, I’d give him a B as Governor. But I’m supporting Edwards for now.

BC

Zee @ 224
eyesonthestreet @
223
Zee @ 222
I’m not a fan of Hillary’s, but when it comes down to a choice between Hillary and Romney, or Hillary and Thompson, or Hillary and ANY Republican. I’m voting for Hillary. I will not vote for her in the primary. I will not vote for Obama in the primary. But if they are my party’s candidate in November ‘08, they’ll get my vote. I’m not living through another Republican presidency again if I can help it.
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I couldn’t disagree more. If the Democratic party is going to promote as unnatural a candidate as Hillary, I am leaving. third times a charm and 2008 is it for me.
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I understand your point completely. But my decision was not an easy one. I will work my butt off to get someone else in. I haven’t yet decided between Edwards and Richardson. But when push comes to shove, I’d rather deal with four years of Hillary, who I strongly disagree with 50% of the time, than a Republican who I strongly disagree with 99% of the time.
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doesn’t matter kids, she won’t get the nomination.

Hope not. Who do you think will?

eyesonthestreet @
223
Zee @ 222
I’m not a fan of Hillary’s, but when it comes down to a choice between Hillary and Romney, or Hillary and Thompson, or Hillary and ANY Republican. I’m voting for Hillary. I will not vote for her in the primary. I will not vote for Obama in the primary. But if they are my party’s candidate in November ‘08, they’ll get my vote. I’m not living through another Republican presidency again if I can help it.
—

I couldn’t disagree more. If the Democratic party is going to promote as unnatural a candidate as Hillary, I am leaving. third times a charm and 2008 is it for me.
—
I understand your point completely. But my decision was not an easy one. I will work my butt off to get someone else in. I haven’t yet decided between Edwards and Richardson. But when push comes to shove, I’d rather deal with four years of Hillary, who I strongly disagree with 50% of the time, than a Republican who I strongly disagree with 99% of the time.

doesn’t matter kids, she won’t get the nomination.

Zee @ 222

I’m not a fan of Hillary’s, but when it comes down to a choice between Hillary and Romney, or Hillary and Thompson, or Hillary and ANY Republican. I’m voting for Hillary. I will not vote for her in the primary. I will not vote for Obama in the primary. But if they are my party’s candidate in November ‘08, they’ll get my vote. I’m not living through another Republican presidency again if I can help it.

I couldn’t disagree more. If the Democratic party is going to promote as unnatural a candidate as Hillary, I am leaving. third times a charm and 2008 is it for me.

I understand your point completely. But my decision was not an easy one. I will work my butt off to get someone else in. I haven’t yet decided between Edwards and Richardson. But when push comes to shove, I’d rather deal with four years of Hillary, who I strongly disagree with 50% of the time, than a Republican who I strongly disagree with 99% of the time.

I’m not a fan of Hillary’s, but when it comes down to a choice between Hillary and Romney, or Hillary and Thompson, or Hillary and ANY Republican. I’m voting for Hillary. I will not vote for her in the primary. I will not vote for Obama in the primary. But if they are my party’s candidate in November ‘08, they’ll get my vote. I’m not living through another Republican presidency again if I can help it.

I couldn’t disagree more. If the Democratic party is going to promote as unnatural a candidate as Hillary, I am leaving. third times a charm and 2008 is it for me.