Decades ago,  charisma was a popular word.  The first time I ever saw a charismatic politician was when I lived in Chicago. President Dwight  Eisenhower came to town in 1960, and over one million people stood in the streets to cheer him on.  I happened to be in the front row when he drove by, sitting atop  a convertible seat.  Just for a moment, our eyes met.  A shiver ran through my entire body.  He was old and white haired.  But  with his brilliant blue eyes, robust coloring and  warm smile, the man radiated charisma.

What is charisma?    The dictionary describes it as a compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others.

A lot of presidents haven’t had it.   Nixon, Carter, Johnson and Bush were good speakers,  but they didn’t have that spark.  John Kennedy had it.   He was young,  handsome, and inspiring when he said:  “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

Ronald Reagan had it.  When his enemies attacked him, he didn’t get mad.  Just smiled and said, “there you go again.”  I don’t remember him ever calling his opponents bad names.  He was just the gipper.  Smiling, confident, unflappable.

Barack Obama had it.  All you had to do was read his book, “Dreams From My Father” to know he was sensitive, empathetic, inspiring,  and yes, charismatic.

In 2008,  they started holding workshops that could teach people how to be charismatic.  But the truth is, charisma is hard to teach.  I think it’s something a person is born with.

Fast forward to the present day.  A lot of people compared Trump to Reagan. But Trump doesn’t have  charisma.  Trump is an entertainer.  He’s funny and dynamic, but when he starts the name calling,  it’s over.  Charismatic people don’t run  people down;  they lift you up on eagle’s wings.   Our current president Biden is affable and pleasant, but he doesn’t make your heart swell when he delivers a speech.

Our country is in desperate need of a presidential candidate who has charisma.  There has to be someone out there who can charm and inspire us to loftier goals.

Whatever happened to charisma?