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How Do You Value Character in Choosing a Pres. or VP? - 9/1/2008 8:25:07 PM
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solomonsprayer
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The companion thread to "How Do You Value Experience in Choosing a Pres. or VP? 
http://forums.crosswalk.com/How_Do_You_Value_Experience_in_Choosing_a_Pres%25_or_VP%3f/m_3765748/mpage_1/tm.htm#3765925
What do you look for in a potential Pres. or VP's character? How do you define and judge it, and how much weight do you give to it overall in your support of a candidate?
Here are some of my ideas:
---Honesty
---Ability to Admit Fault
---Courage and Persistence to Stand by Convictions
---Constant Seeking Out of Moral Correctness
How do the different candidates measure up on these?...Obama..McCain...Palin...Biden?
(edit: I hereby add "humility" to the list above.)
< Message edited by solomonsprayer -- 9/2/2008 7:38:37 AM >
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RE: How Do You Value Character in Choosing a Pres. or VP? - 9/1/2008 8:32:02 PM
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solomonsprayer
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In attempting to answer my own question...
I feel Obama's character is the least clear to me, using those four criteria above. He's hard to read. 
It's hard to get past the media hype and see who he really is at times. He even sometimes seems to play into the Rock Star image/aura in how he carries himself and how he speaks.
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RE: How Do You Value Character in Choosing a Pres. or VP? - 9/2/2008 1:34:31 AM
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leonfigg3
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I'd have to find a copy of "Profiles In Courage" but I believe you gave some pretty good examples of character.
I think of the examples you gave Honesty and Courage and Persistance to Stand by Convictions would seem most important to me.
Honesty, in the sense that the person be willing to challenge citizens by telling them that the government can't do everything. Telling citizens that they have a role to play as well in attempting to make things better.
Courage and Persistance to Stand by Convictions, goes without saying for the most part. The presidental candidate must show that he has given the issues some thought and has sought out councel in arriving at a decision. Then he must stand by that decision until such time that he, or his staff, come across contradictory information, or the situation changes.
I just happened to think of something that may or may not be an example of character or just something that a presidential candidate should have-the ability to look at the big picture and what realistic impact his decision may have for the future.
(IMO) Somehow, so far-this laslt century- God has pretty much blessed us with Presidents that have been men of character ( some more than others).
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RE: How Do You Value Character in Choosing a Pres. or VP? - 9/2/2008 1:46:26 AM
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Thessa
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Im a really great judge of character. Its not hard if you really pay attention, which one is lying.
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RE: How Do You Value Character in Choosing a Pres. or VP? - 9/2/2008 7:38:03 AM
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solomonsprayer
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Thessa
Im a really great judge of character. Its not hard if you really pay attention, which one is lying.
Really?....But I thought all politicians lie? 
....Well...I feel McCain has some attributes I mentioned. Not sure about honesty, because I don't pay too much attention to him. It just feels all politicians speak "political-Washington-ese" - that vague, warm and fuzzy language. Though Obama does it way way more.
I do, however, think McCain's military service and perseverence through torture and risking bodily harm to protect what he thought was right spoke volumes about him. ...He helped me check off the courage and persistence category.
With Obama, I like that he seemingly admits wrong, which was one of my four elements of character. He's able to say his pastor was wrong and that he himself was "wrong" on say energy and drilling...Some say that's flip-flopping, but it could also be seen has humility, honesty, willingness to admit fault and always seeking the truth (moral or factual).
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RE: How Do You Value Character in Choosing a Pres. or VP? - 9/23/2008 4:25:38 AM
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solomonsprayer
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*bump* ...Second bump. ...Anyone have new thoughts on this?
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RE: How Do You Value Character in Choosing a Pres. or VP? - 9/23/2008 9:04:31 AM
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rcjames
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Character is very important in my decision for whom to vote.
Also how a person came to be where they are at (influences in their lives) concern me a great deal.
And the influences that shaped Obama's life really do concern me a lot.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: How Do You Value Character in Choosing a Pres. or VP? - 9/23/2008 9:33:33 AM
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letusreason
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HIGHLY important.
I thought it was interesting watching the youtube clip of Bill Clinton on The View talking with the women when he stated Hillary didn't want to be Obama's running mate, he also talked about why people vote for someone , he gave all kinds of reason for this and predictably, CHARACTER was not mentioned as one of the reasons.
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RE: How Do You Value Character in Choosing a Pres. or VP? - 9/23/2008 11:32:47 AM
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adelphi_sky
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--intelligence
--honesty
--humility
--strength
--innovation/forward thinking/creative
--compassion
--peacemaker/broker/mediatory
Of course that's in a perfect world. But at least some form of mix of the above will do.
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RE: How Do You Value Character in Choosing a Pres. or VP? - 9/23/2008 11:39:39 AM
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csl7037
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quote:
ORIGINAL: letusreason
HIGHLY important.
I thought it was interesting watching the youtube clip of Bill Clinton on The View talking with the women when he stated Hillary didn't want to be Obama's running mate, he also talked about why people vote for someone , he gave all kinds of reason for this and predictably, CHARACTER was not mentioned as one of the reasons.
It certainly didn't have anything to do with him getting elected! Since we somehow managed to survive that fiasco, I'm not really sure character matters all that much. I know it doesn't matter to a whole slew of voters, no matter what they say. If it did, half the jokers in Washington would be sent packing. No, there's a BIG contingent of voters who just want what they can get out of their goverment and that's the problem.
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RE: How Do You Value Character in Choosing a Pres. or VP? - 9/23/2008 12:01:00 PM
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Dubya
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quote:
ORIGINAL: csl7037
quote:
ORIGINAL: letusreason
HIGHLY important.
I thought it was interesting watching the youtube clip of Bill Clinton on The View talking with the women when he stated Hillary didn't want to be Obama's running mate, he also talked about why people vote for someone , he gave all kinds of reason for this and predictably, CHARACTER was not mentioned as one of the reasons.
It certainly didn't have anything to do with him getting elected! Since we somehow managed to survive that fiasco, I'm not really sure character matters all that much. I know it doesn't matter to a whole slew of voters, no matter what they say. If it did, half the jokers in Washington would be sent packing. No, there's a BIG contingent of voters who just want what they can get out of their goverment and that's the problem.
I agree completely.
Character is something everyone wants to talk about but when it comes to actually casting the ballot it slips to one of the least important attributes.
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RE: How Do You Value Character in Choosing a Pres. or VP? - 9/23/2008 12:15:24 PM
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adelphi_sky
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quote:
ORIGINAL: csl7037
quote:
ORIGINAL: letusreason
HIGHLY important.
I thought it was interesting watching the youtube clip of Bill Clinton on The View talking with the women when he stated Hillary didn't want to be Obama's running mate, he also talked about why people vote for someone , he gave all kinds of reason for this and predictably, CHARACTER was not mentioned as one of the reasons.
It certainly didn't have anything to do with him getting elected! Since we somehow managed to survive that fiasco, I'm not really sure character matters all that much. I know it doesn't matter to a whole slew of voters, no matter what they say. If it did, half the jokers in Washington would be sent packing. No, there's a BIG contingent of voters who just want what they can get out of their goverment and that's the problem.
Unfortunately character means different things to different people. Let's face it, we are who we wanted to be; a melting pot. That means my values are not your values. And values in include what good character looks like in an individual. We're made up of many cultures and religions. There is no majority anymore. Only in race. And there are many divisions among the majority race that prevent a consensus vote. Somebody will vote for someone we don't care about and vice-versa. The goal is, can we compromise on the person we think is the greatest good for the whole. That has worked since the inception of this government. Some people will be disappointed. Kennedy was regarded as one of the greatest presidents. Look what happened to him. Someone didn't like him very much. But it is interesting to see how so many cultures converge and choose one person to lead. That's the beauty of a free democratic society.
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RE: How Do You Value Character in Choosing a Pres. or VP? - 9/24/2008 12:32:58 PM
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letusreason
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quote:
ORIGINAL: adelphi_sky
quote:
ORIGINAL: csl7037
quote:
ORIGINAL: letusreason
HIGHLY important.
I thought it was interesting watching the youtube clip of Bill Clinton on The View talking with the women when he stated Hillary didn't want to be Obama's running mate, he also talked about why people vote for someone , he gave all kinds of reason for this and predictably, CHARACTER was not mentioned as one of the reasons.
It certainly didn't have anything to do with him getting elected! Since we somehow managed to survive that fiasco, I'm not really sure character matters all that much. I know it doesn't matter to a whole slew of voters, no matter what they say. If it did, half the jokers in Washington would be sent packing. No, there's a BIG contingent of voters who just want what they can get out of their goverment and that's the problem.
Unfortunately character means different things to different people. Let's face it, we are who we wanted to be; a melting pot. That means my values are not your values. And values in include what good character looks like in an individual. We're made up of many cultures and religions. There is no majority anymore. Only in race. And there are many divisions among the majority race that prevent a consensus vote. Somebody will vote for someone we don't care about and vice-versa. The goal is, can we compromise on the person we think is the greatest good for the whole. That has worked since the inception of this government. Some people will be disappointed. Kennedy was regarded as one of the greatest presidents. Look what happened to him. Someone didn't like him very much. But it is interesting to see how so many cultures converge and choose one person to lead. That's the beauty of a free democratic society.
You seem to be mixing and matching a lot of terms and ideas here, its very confusing.
Melting pot used to refer to ( from American history) different races coming together. Now people want to infuse sexual preference with race , and tolerance of all ideas, and other things it seems.
I highlighted the part I did understand though not necessarily agreed with.
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RE: How Do You Value Character in Choosing a Pres. or VP? - 9/24/2008 2:02:09 PM
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John_O
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Character is the ultimate determiner of my vote.
The first check is are they Christian. Usually the only way to ascertain this is to check their stands on certain issues. If most of their stands are anti-biblical then I assume they are not Christian. Many politicians claim to be Chrsitian but their lives don't reflect that at all (nor do their churches for that matter)
Next is how they stand on the country (and how those around them stand on the country) Are they singing "God Bless America" or saying "God damn America". Do they support our servicemen? Do they support freedom?
Usually by this point one person has been eliminated, almost always the democrat as they run an anti-biblical platform every time.
_____________________________
Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
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RE: How Do You Value Character in Choosing a Pres. or VP? - 9/24/2008 2:32:20 PM
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huangshan
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quote:
ORIGINAL: letusreason
You seem to be mixing and matching a lot of terms and ideas here, its very confusing.
Melting pot used to refer to ( from American history) different races coming together. Now people want to infuse sexual preference with race , and tolerance of all ideas, and other things it seems.
"Races" as used in that context, referred to nationalities, cultures and ethnicities being blended together. I'm not sure if homosexuality is necessarily included in those three (is it a culture...?), but tolerance and diversity in general seems to be appropriate to the melting pot phenomena.
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