By Filings on
Society & Culture
Character
Leadership
U.S. Presidents

“The Old Testament is replete with examples of how Israel prospered under kings with godly character and foundered under those with a despicable character. In Plato’s “Republic” character is the most important qualification of rulers. Both biblical authors and renowned philosophers assert that “the flourishing of character,” rooted in cardinal virtues, is essential to providing social justice, and the record of history confirms this judgment.” Center for Vision & Values

Discussion

Fri, 02/16/18

….Hilliary, or Obama, or Johnson….?

I think one weakness we have in evaluating character is that we see a person’s personal sexual behavior as huge, his veracity as big, but not so much to do about policies. To draw a picture, Jimmy Carter’s comment about concern over Communism being overblown ranks right up there with at least five affairs by JFK or Clinton or Trump, and what do we say about support for government-funded prenatal infanticide?

You’ve also got the very real issue that the media have by and large totally lost any pretense of objectivity—OK, we’re going to call politicians liars on their testimony? Seriously? The only theory that would justify this is the broken clock theory—that it’s right twice a day.

Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.

Fri, 02/16/18

The problem with the 2016 election was the options were Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. One of the two would be president. Before even talking about their vastly different policy positions, both candidates were deeply flawed people as to their morals, integrity, character and honesty. For many voters, the reason they shrugged off character as an issue in that election was simply the fact both candidates canceled each other out. Its not that character no longer mattered to voters, but the only difference between the candidates involved their promises on policy. Trump’s message resonated with enough voters that he defeated Clinton. But character issues will return in future elections—especially if the candidates are perceived to be closer to the middle in terms of policy, and one is perceived to have better character than the other.

Fri, 02/16/18

[Darrell Post]

The problem with the 2016 election was the options were Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. One of the two would be president. Before even talking about their vastly different policy positions, both candidates were deeply flawed people as to their morals, integrity, character and honesty. For many voters, the reason they shrugged off character as an issue in that election was simply the fact both candidates canceled either other out. Its not that character no longer mattered to voters, but the only difference between the candidates involved their promises on policy. Trump’s message resonated with enough voters that he defeated Clinton. But character issues will return in future elections—especially if the candidates are perceived to be closer to the middle in terms of policy, and one is perceived to have better character than the other.

I think you’re right!

Twitter

Jim's Doctrinal Statement