Resolved:
- A president's personal attributes are the best predictors of performance in the White House
**Please post your three (3) questions for the Pro, Con, or both sides of the debate, as well as indicating a question or two you would like to see asked in class (through submitting a "reply". Make sure you read through the questions posted before you, as repeated questions will not count! Questions should be submitted by 10/13 at noon (12pm).
1. What personal traits are most desirable when electing a president?
ReplyDelete2. During the campaign, candidates make promises to appease the masses and appear as the public wants them to be. Wouldn't it be safe to safe to say that the public has no idea what the TRUE personal attributes of a president are until scandal hits or moments of true leadership emerge?
3. What common personal attributes have shown themselves historically in great presidents?
Number two is a pretty interesting question!
DeleteI really like question 1!
DeleteIf the President has a personal attribute of extreme competitiveness, would that be better or worse for the White House? Do you think this could this lead to more potential for war?
ReplyDeleteDo you think the President always shows his personal attributes, or does he put on a show to please others, especially when dealing with media?
Some Presidents fail, some succeed. If both are very organized and have almost the same attributes, why did one succeed while the other didn’t?
I like #2
DeleteNumber 2 is very interesting!
DeleteI like number 2!
DeleteWhen voting, do people worry more about the presidents attributes/characteristics or do they worry about issues they are wanting to change in America at that time?
ReplyDeleteWhich presidents had the best attributes and the best performance in your opinion?
An important attribute/characteristic of a president is to do what is best for America, but do they risk being unpopular by taking the the direct but difficult decision, or just "play" the field and not risk it by just ignoring the issue?
1. Do you agree that when a president succeeds, people tend to laud the special skills he brought to office, but when things go wrong people look for personal flaws? Why or why not?
ReplyDelete2. Do you think the information age gave voters an opportunity to see better what kind of personal attributes candidates have or did it make it easier for the candidates to “put on a show” and fool the voters? Why or why not?
3. Does a president have to be a good person in order to do his job properly, or is it enough for him to just be a skilful individual? Why or why not? Who would you chose?
Question 1 is a great one!
Delete1.Do you think the political environment has more of an effect of how successful a president is than his personal attributes?
ReplyDelete2. Party affiliation may skew some people's perceptions of presidential success. Does this change how one would classify if a president successful or unsuccessful?
3. What attributes would the founders consider to be the best attributes of a president?
1. Even as powerful as the president is, aren't there major problems that he doesn't have power over and can plague his presidency?
ReplyDelete2. Have the favorable attributes of a president changed over time and if so how?
3. When would be the best time to judge the attributes the president has with the job he has done?
Question 2 would be really interesting to discuss!
Delete1. When campaigning, candidates of their party, seem to possess the attributes that the American people want. When elected, how long into the presidency does this change? Or doesn't it?
ReplyDelete2. Certain presidents may have had the same attributes as others but were not as successful. Why?
3. When choosing the first few presidents, what were the most important attributes of a president? And are they the same important attributes we value today?
1-How do you evaluate a president who achieved success domestically, but whose foreign policy was ultimately disastrous? (Lyndon B. Johnson for example)
ReplyDelete2-Bill Clinton was an able executive; but, when we evaluate the success of his presidency, how do we factor in his scandalous behavior that ultimately led to impeachment proceedings against him?
3-After the September 11th attacks, George W. Bush’s leadership approval rating rose tremendously. In the end, he received some of the most dismal approval ratings in recent history. How do you evaluate this change?
Number 3 is great.
Delete1. A President who has great personal attributes, but perform badly in his first term, would his personal attributes still be the "best" predictors of performance in the White House?
ReplyDelete2. Lincoln was an individual of great, righteous character. Would anyone have imagined that he would resort to patronage means to get the 13th Amendment passed?
3. In your opinion, what other factors could possibly be the best predictors of a President's performance in the White House if not his/her personal attributes?
I like question #1!
Delete1. Are personal attributes too abstract and not concrete to try to use as a predictor?
ReplyDelete2. Would a personal attribute of honesty be a good or bad attribute?
3. Do you think that the presidency might change someone's personal attributes over time?
1. During their term, presidents tend to loose have shifts in their popularity and approval. Do we see the attributes take a backseat in the White House in comparison to the campaign?
ReplyDelete2. Does a president's attributes help him when working with Congress?
3. Does the examination of a president's attributes help us learn more about the individual or does it through up a disguise that other factors can be hidden behind?
1. The pro section talks about the precedent Washington set for an involved president. Well, did the administration of John Adams also set a precedent by enabling future presidents to exhibit a similar disinterested and disengaged presidency?
ReplyDelete2. Do the president's personal attributes have any real effect on the other two branches of government, or do they concern themselves mostly with public approval and reelection chances?
3. Where do political parties factor in when considering presidential success? If the party is disliked but the president highly favored, or vice versa, how would this impact the success of a president?
Do you think the situation and issues of society at the time of an election have an effect on what personal qualities Americans look for in the presidential candidates?
ReplyDeleteConsider all the presidents that our country has had over the history of America. Do you think that if our country faced different issues at the time of the presidential elections, Americans would have looked for different qualities in their presidential candidates? Or possibly even elected different presidents?
What types of characteristics would be ideal for a president to have in a presidential term that lies in a time of war?
1. Regarding the presidency, does the ego of the man always reflect the performance of the man?
ReplyDelete2.Which founding father's personality should be the most mirrored by modern presidents?
3. Can a president be successful at his job if isn't absolutely loved by the people? If not, then why?
1. How efficient is the media when it comes to deciphering the personality of the President
ReplyDelete2. Is it common for Presidents to cover up or camouflage their flaws and personal failures?
3. Does a Presidents personal attributes contribute to his activeness in political office and the achievements of his administration?