:::OshnSoul:::

1) Honesty. Speaking from the heart. Sometimes you can't tell, sometimes you can. Just wish they'd scrap the pre-written speeches written by someone else and just say what they feel.
2) Not making promises- because sometimes they can't be kept.
3) Sense of humor. They don't always have to be serious.
4) Talking about what they themselves can do, and who they are, not the problems of other candidates or the current president. Take, for instance, Edwards and his mantra of saying no evil of other candidates.
5) Confidence vibe. I gotta sense it.
6) No big ego. Repeating over and over again that they are a 5-star general, been through the vietnam war, and are current governor- and saying constantly that they are the right choice, no one else is better than him- that turns me off.
7) works for US and World Unity and economy-boosting, rather than focusing on the areas of their choice. Peace rather than Justice.
8) Knowing that war is not the answer. If we must fight we will, but try to find other ways to fix the problem other than killing people would be a wiser way.
9) REALLY listening to the people, not just saying they do. Start asking questions of the people first, before an election.

What about you? If you could design a president with the qualities you prefer, what would they be?

Sparhawk

A lot of what you are saying describes "What, to you, makes a good Presidential candidate". There's a difference between the two, in my mind. I think it is very important for a candidate to sell himself, whether he was a general, served on the foreign relations committee, or was a governor.

As for what makes a good President, here's a few:
1)Deft steerer of the economy
2)budget balancer
3)makes good policy concerning the poor/middle-class, isn't beholden to special interests
4)is very careful with sending troops overseas into battle- they are his "boys and girls" and should be treated as such
5)finally, the man must Inspire me, and all of us, to be better than just the sum of our parts, and that all of us together as a nation can accomplish anything.

__________________
"In Iraq, no doubt about it, it's tough. It's hard work. It's incredibly hard. It's - and it's hard work. I understand how hard it is. I get the casualty reports every day. I see on the TV screens how hard it is. But it's necessary work. We're making progress. It is hard work."

:::OshnSoul:::

True- you are right. But as a candidate, they should resemble a good leader.

And, I am looking for the variations of opinions, here, as a "good president" could be different for each person.
Getting a feel of what others prefer out of a President.

Liquor Dealer

To me, first of all, a good president must have the ability to delegate authority and the ability to put the best possible people in positions of authority. No one person can possibly deal with the complexities of government.

A president must have the guts to do what is right and the intestinal fortitude to finish what is started.

A president must have the respect of most of the people most of the time - no one is ever going to have it all.

A president has to be an American first and put America first in every thought and action he takes.

__________________
Life isn't always a bowl of cherries, sometimes it's more like a jar of Jalapenos --- what you say or do today might burn your ass tomorrow!!!

Ustwo

I think LD has it summed up pretty good.

__________________
Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host

Obama - Know a Man by the friends he keeps.

Superbelt

Ability to Balance the Budget

Rigidly follows the constitution and ideals of America

Surrounds himself with the best and brightest in the field from all sides of an issue whenever he makes an important policy decision. Also having the humility and intelligence to allow each to influence his decisions. Not to just have them barking at a brick wall.

Has to put a good face out to the world. We need respect and friendship. Ability to work well with others.

Has to be a good speaker, a persuasive president is a very good president both for domestic policy and brokering among nations.

KellyC

who's political agenda is for the good of the people, NOT for the party or for his friends

Good leader ship who dont take shit from his VP or any members of the cabinet.

the hell with it...just follow FDR's model

__________________
Him: Ok, I have to ask, what do you believe?
Me: Shit happens.

krwlz

Thats a huge one to me.

Political agenda that he/she sticks to.

Anyone who realizes that the answer isnt always more laws. In fact less could make the differance at times.

And this is a view, not a trait, but they need to be pro-gun, or at least not anti-gun, to get my vote.

Zamunda

These are all true, except the last one needs to be elaborated... yes put america first, but a president must also understand that the world is becoming very connected and really should have a strong foreign policy. It's not a crime for an american president to care about the rest of the world, its actually very beneficial: in the short run our image would be better (because now we're pretty widely loathed), and in the long run, we can reap benefits from a safer more connected world... I dont mean free trade necessarily because it takes away jobs at home and doesn't necessarily help the countries we move to because american corporations are still running the show. A president who is too pro america can cause problems.