Just wondering... how important is it that you like a candidates personality and/or their politics before you will vote for someone for President?

Incoming poll...

Also, if you want to, please add how you feel about GW's personality and politics as well. ;)

I have to like their personality AND their politics. At least, I try to. ;)

Honestly, personality is a factor. I think personality is an indicator as to how they will be able to interact with not only the american public but also with other countries and their leaders, which is very important. So, personality is a big deal to me. One of the big reasons why I am so annoyed with Bush is because he can not SPEAK to the American public- HIS PEOPLE - about important issues. He has to READ, pretty much word for word, while fumbling around trying to figure out what exactly his script says. I know all presidents have had speeches prepared for them, but I do lose some respect for our leader when he can not talk to his people. I know a good speaker doesn't necessarily make a good president and a good president doesn't have to be a great speaker, but I think speaking to people is part of it. I mean, we're not electing someone who can JUST speak well or JUST make good decisions or who is JUST a good person or who is JUST a respected person. This is the biggest job in our country, one of the biggest jobs in the WORLD, so the person should have it ALL, including a good personality. They should speak well, be personable and friendly, motivated, sincere, trust worthy, honest, intelligent, and on and on... that is what makes up someone's personality and all of those are important. So, if someone has a crappy personality, they are probably missing some key points as far as what I am looking for in a President. And I'm not looking for PERFECTION, but I do believe our president should be held to EXTREMELY high standards, way above normal.

I vote for I HAVE to like their politics, but not their personality. I do totally agree with you Brandi. I think personality is SO important when it comes to how they interact with other foreign leaders, but I would rather vote for someone with a harsh personality and good political ideals than a charmer with political retardation. So, I don't HAVE to have the good personality because when it comes down to it, the politics are the most important thing. Who knows, maybe someone who has a personality I don't particularly like will still handle foreign relations, disaster relief, bipartisanship, etc in a way that is beneficial to the country. Someone whose politics I hate I KNOW won't do anything I could consider beneficial, though, so that definitely takes a higher seat in my mind.

If I can have both though, that is even better. And I totally agree with you when you said...
And I'm not looking for PERFECTION, but I do believe our president should be held to EXTREMELY high standards, way above normal.

ABSOLUTELY. :thumbsup

There ARE personality traits that are deal breakers for me even if I totally agree with their politics. I expect my president to be professional. :yes

I see where both of you are coming from. But I'm more of a people reader. I can usually figure out a person's intentions within the first few minutes of encountering them. I think having a good personality is important (and by good personality I mean- they have a level head and make educated decisions, are fair, honest and intelligent).

To me it's more than just agreeing with their politics... I'd like to be able to TRUST them to do the right thing and to make decisions that are the most beneficial to our country. I almost feel that the president should be a servant of the people- that is the job, therefore, he/she should be kind and personable.... but at the same time, still strong and confident enough to take control and get things done.

I don't know. I chose that their personality and politics were both important to me. :shrug

To me it's more than just agreeing with their politics... I'd like to be able to TRUST them to do the right thing and to make decisions that are the most beneficial to our country.

Oh Heidi, Heidi, Heidi. Don't you know that you can't trust ANY politician? :rofl They are POLITICIANS! :lolsign

Oh Heidi, Heidi, Heidi. Don't you know that you can't trust ANY politician? :rofl They are POLITICIANS! :lolsign

:rofl I was thinking about that while posting it.

I still think you can tell who's full of shit and who's geniune though. :shrug :lol

I see where both of you are coming from. But I'm more of a people reader. I can usually figure out a person's intentions within the first few minutes of encountering them. I think having a good personality is important (and by good personality I mean- they have a level head and make educated decisions, are fair, honest and intelligent).

To me it's more than just agreeing with their politics... I'd like to be able to TRUST them to do the right thing and to make decisions that are the most beneficial to our country. I almost feel that the president should be a servant of the people- that is the job, therefore, he/she should be kind and personable.... but at the same time, still strong and confident enough to take control and get things done.

I don't know. I chose that their personality and politics were both important to me. :shrug

:agree I couldn't have said it better myself... also, if you've ever seen the candidates at their "other job" for example on the Senate floor...or a committee meeting, it can be rather eye-opening... :eek

Personality doesn't have to do with a person's ability to do their job, IMO. I'm more interested in a candidate's position than their personality.

I think personality is important. That doesn't have to mean that that overrides their qualifications, morals, and views, but it's part of a complete package. Just like you don't decide to marry someone because they are smart... you want to marry someone who is the whole package (smart AND funny AND good-looking AND caring, etc). I think a president should be the same.

Not to mention, look at all the blunders Bush has made in social settings, how does that reflect on us as a country?

I think it's another important trait of the long list of qualifications I look for in a candidate.

Just wondering... how important is it that you like a candidates personality and/or their politics before you will vote for someone for President?

Incoming poll...

Also, if you want to, please add how you feel about GW's personality and politics as well. ;)

I feel it is important to not like just the politics of the person i vote for but also his or her public persona.

Trina I am pretty sure almost everyone here knows how I feel about GWB jr. :lmao

Ultimately I have to agree more with their politics than I have to like their personality. With that said, they do have to have something in their personality that I can relate to. If they have a personality that I just can't relate to then I am less likely to stick around to listen to their politics.

Ultimately I have to agree more with their politics than I have to like their personality. With that said, they do have to have something in their personality that I can relate to. If they have a personality that I just can't relate to then I am less likely to stick around to listen to their politics.

I totally agree! The year Bob Dole ran. I agreed with his politics but his personality did not appeal to me at all in general however no way was I going to vote for Clinton so I voted party line and went with Dole even though I knew he wouldn't make it in to office (I do not believe in not voting just because I don't think someone will get in).

I'm sure I'm the odd man out but I love "W's" personality and if memory serves me so did the majority of the USA before there was a war in Iraq. His personality is what won him over John McCain with Republicans. I think he'd be a much better speaker if his people would just let him do that instead of trying to make him fit a mold that he just doesnt' fit into. Every President has speech writers - even Clinton had them. Clinton read stuff off of the telepromter as well - some people just do it better than others- I do not believe that makes them a better person or better President.

This is the first year ever that I have NO idea who I'm voting for. I don't match up with hardly anyone's politics (at least the areas that are important for me).....

I totally agree! The year Bob Dole ran. I agreed with his politics but his personality did not appeal to me at all in general however no way was I going to vote for Clinton so I voted party line and went with Dole even though I knew he wouldn't make it in to office (I do not believe in not voting just because I don't think someone will get in).

I'm sure I'm the odd man out but I love "W's" personality and if memory serves me so did the majority of the USA before there was a war in Iraq. His personality is what won him over John McCain with Republicans. I think he'd be a much better speaker if his people would just let him do that instead of trying to make him fit a mold that he just doesnt' fit into. Every President has speech writers - even Clinton had them. Clinton read stuff off of the telepromter as well - some people just do it better than others- I do not believe that makes them a better person or better President.

This is the first year ever that I have NO idea who I'm voting for. I don't match up with hardly anyone's politics (at least the areas that are important for me).....

This totally is off-topic.... but I wouldn't mind meeting Bush. I don't agree with his politics at all.... but he might be fun at a barbecue or something :giggle

Also... I'd definitely condsider myself to be more liberal.... but I have a huge soft spot for John McCain. I think he's a good, respectable man. :yes

I'm sure I'm the odd man out but I love "W's" personality and if memory serves me so did the majority of the USA before there was a war in Iraq. His personality is what won him over John McCain with Republicans.

Haha, that is an AWESOME example of why personality shouldn't matter more than politics in my book. Depending on personality too much can get us into trouble... :P

I personally didn't mind GW's personality so much in the beginning, but I do now!

I have to like both!!

I agree with GW on ....two of the major issues. TWO.

He'd be a riot to hang out with, though. I bet he'd enjoy doing all the crap we did back home in Kentucky when I was a kid!