Characteristics of leadership

Today I spent a long period of my day applying for a copious amount of scholarships, to my moms strong advice...one of the scholarships asked " What personal characteristics are most important to you in a presidential candidate and why?" Usually, a scholarship selection committee would want a well thought-out answer full of flowery and detailed writing. Luckily for me, this scholarship committee stated that they were looking for the most interesting answer, something to make the judges laugh. I am sure that with the many bloppers and Freudian slips that George W. Bush has made over the past 8 years, thinking of such a fruitful answer would not be hard to come by. For instance....
- "They misunderestimated me"
- "Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB-GYNs arent able to practice their love with women all across this country."
- "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."

If you read the quotes slow and word for world, you'll understand why they coined the infamous quotes "BUSHISMS".

So on the flip side lets take this question seriously. What characteristics do you believe the President of the US should possess?
Should we just look at the President or the overall cabinet, because they too will be making decisions that can affect this country?

I voted for the democratic primaries. I was happy as ever to do so too. In high school I did my graduate project on the feminism era of the 1960s. An era that changed the lining of what a female role was, with the help of Betty Friedan's ever so controversial book "The Feminine Mystique" A book that took away the "stepford wife" persona to give the stepping stones to the woman of today, strong, couragous and ambitious as ever. Fast forward 48 years and there we have Senator Hilliary R. Clinton. I applaud her for taking a stand, for being the first woman to reach such heights in politics. She has some qualities that I believe the President should possess. But I believe this presidential race has brought about an ugly side of her. Where I believe a vindictive side can surface which eventually will bring down our country to an all time low.

And then there is Senator OBAMA... a genuine breathe of fresh air. A man with poise who wants to bring about great change for the United States of America. BUSH was a reprising role of his father, and CLINTON a female Bill...but OBAMA...we have change, not only skin deep but for what he has shown...real change. OBAMA maintained a level head and relied on his morals and willingness to serve as President as an asset to the country, not to himself.

To be present...to think about life now, for the people of today.
accountable....for actions...and mistakes
responsible
civil
rational
irrational...sometimes decisions need to be made quickly
confident
humble