During the last Presidential debate, the question was asked on whether "Character" was important in a President. For the life of me, I couldn't understand why that question was even asked, until I started to see the responses from not only the candidates, but people on the social networks who actually watched it. I believe the question was not addressed correctly. The word "Character" has for the most part been used synonymously in the positive sense. And so it's only fitting to suggest that when your talking about the topic, you would mean "good". After all, let's face it, there are tons of people out there with character. Lady Gaga has character. Barack Obama has character. Tim Tebow for crying out loud has character! Everyone has character! I don't believe that was the point. The question should have been stated, "Is 'good' Character important in a President?" If you ask the question in this phrase, then it brings up a different meaning.
I happen to believe that good Character IS essential in a President for several reasons. The first and foremost is that of TRUST. Trust is the number one characteristic that everyone in the world is looking for. Trust gives opportunities. Trust gives people Hope. Trust solidifies relationships. Trust brings about Peace. Finally, Trust brings about ACCOUNTABILITY. Accountability holds you responsible for the duties intrusted in you. When things go well, or when things go bad. It doesn't matter. You accept the responsibilities of accountability regardless, which in turn brings about FAIRNESS. Being fair does not choose sides on the bases of who does the most for you. You can be fair to all, regardless if you like someone or not. Fairness looks at all sides without presuppositions and determines the best solution. And if your being fair to all, your also being CARING to all. A President will care for all Americans. A President is not self seeking, but rather seeking the best interest of those he is accountable for. A President is not weak willed. A President is not gullible. Caring sometimes means saying "NO". It does not mean giving to everybody what they want. It means not over stepping your bounds. It means owning your CITIZENSHIP. Citizenship is being a good steward within your Title as President. Holding that position to the highest value. Citizenship means being a good steward not only in your public life, but also in private. In your community. In your relationships. In your duty as an American citizen, and your duty as leader of the free world!
So when I see people say that ability is most important in a President, rather than "good" character, I have to disagree with them. Some of the most corrupted "leaders" in History had amazing abilities. Most of them saw themselves egotistically superior to others, which brought upon all kinds of destruction. But history also shows that men of good character were strong leaders who knew their responsibilities were to be taken seriously and were not to be used for self gain. So for me, I will choose good character above ability. Good character brings about good leadership. As Jesus said in the parable of the Faithful Servant in Luke 12:48, "To whom much has been given, much will be required." Or if Uncle Ben (of "Spiderman" fame) is more your style, "With great power, comes great responsibilities."
