Tag: POTUS

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WHATEVER HAPPENED TO CHARISMA?

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.

Whatever happened to charisma? Our recent presidents don't have it.
Whatever happened to charisma? Both parties need a leader who has it.

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?

 

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BUTTIGIEG VS. PENCE 2020?

Last week, this may have sounded crazy.  Mayor Pete’s chances of winning the presidential nomination were very slim.  But this latest debate might have been a deal breaker.  Buttigieg came across as the only candidate who seemed authentic.  He challenged Elizabeth Warren’s pie- in- the-sky promises as to the real cost of Medicare for all.  He calmly spoke with the voice of experience on the US withdrawal from Syria.  Now, there’s a real possibility that Trump will be impeached.  Therefore, it’s not a pipe dream to imagine a presidential election with two Hoosiers on the ballet . Buttigieg vs Pence 2020?  It could happen.

There's a possiblity that two Hoosier will be on the ballot in 2020
Two Hoosiers could be on the ballot during the 2020 election

Of course, I’m not at all biased (: However, I believe our country would be well served if we had a POTUS who brings some good old Hoosier Values to the table.

What are HOOSIER VALUES?  The very phrase brings to mind a dull, penny pinching, religious fanatic who’s never traveled more than 100 miles from his home town. I’ve surfed the internet and found that there are no clearly defined Hoosier Values.  Different sources say the following character traits define an Indiana native:  Patriotic, Honest, Responsible, Faithful, Humble.  Others  claim that  the typical Hoosier has  a strong work ethic, family values and a sense of community.

Wow! That’s a lot of good stuff.  Does that mean that no one in my state is cruel, vulgar, promiscuous, dishonest or rude?  Hardly.

When I think of Hoosier Values, I envision someone who doesn’t brag, or make false promises, and behaves with dignity in public.   In other  words, someone with just plain old common sense.

Buttigieg vs Pence  in the 2020 presidential election would be a win-win situation for Indiana. .  No matter which party prevailed at the polls, we could rest assured  that Hoosier Values are well represented  in Washington DC.