Comments on: Who Cares About Likeability?

Mo Rocca Wonders If The Way We Chose Our Presidents Makes Sense

[knyghtwolf]

bmsbms29 are you saying that a man that has soiled the American NAME, stolen money from the American people for his and Cheney's OWN company? Yeah, thats not a perfect man, thats a plain idiotic imbecile with strings so far up his butt that he can floss his teeth with em. Bush came to my university back when he was about to start running for President, it was all carefully controlled questions, submitted for approval and all. C- education all the way. I told my fellow students that IF that man gets elected president, the world is doomed, and look at it today. WAR that is faked and has been debunked many times over, lies upon lies upon lies, yeah thanks bush, that is exactly how we all wanted it. The man has NO diction, NO common sense, FULL of himself to the brim. I lived in west texass for 12 years, had to for private reasons but I am HOME now. and thank the Spirit for getting me the hell out of west texass before I would have been stuck there for LIFE.

[gkc99]

Buh-*** is a national embarassment when he opens his mouth. Most world leaders are at least articulate. If the press wasn't always giving the righties a pass and Curious George's vacuous stupidities were given the coverage the public deserves, even the half-illiterate American public would be ashamed that this fool represents our country to the world.

[rochest]

BSMBSM29the Clintons and their staff DID NOT trash the White House .... that has been proven to be a false rumor something that the Republican spin machine has been pushing and according to the 911 commission and Condi's own testimony President Bush received a presidential daily briefing entitled " bin Ladin determined to strike inside the U.S. "so we're just good old boys here nothing to see here just move along and don't think too long about this criminal administration do neck of a job Bushie

[fredgrad2000]

Likeability? Well, if Hillary is elected in 2008, it will throw that whole theory into the trashbin...she is not a likeable, charismatic person...if she wins it will be due to money, with a distant second to overly favorable media coverage. If Obama wins or John Edwards, or perhaps Guiliani (who has high favorability ratings) maybe likeability will have been a key component. I agree with many posters here, that ability SHOULD be the prime determiner, but unfortunately in this sound-bite dominated era we live in, where all of our politicians are groomed and handled to the -enth degree by strategists - I'm not sure we the public even have a fair chance to determine who is most qualified or has the best leadership abilities in a national election anymore...

[rochest]

in 2004 President Bush seeking reelection went to the Daytona 500 drove the lead car to a cheering crowd of NASCAR dad's saying I love speed I was pilot. Yes right during Vietnam he kept Texas skies free of the enemy and at some point even patrolled the fair skies of S.Carolina. So when was the last time you saw this chicken hawk at a NASCAR event? Maybe all you folks that say that Bush is just a regular guy someone you could really sit down and have a beer with will realize that you have been played the time by this Republican machine that wants to be in power forever and ever.

[johngorrind]

The American public must hold itself accountable for its carelessness and lack of serious attention it gives the election of its leaders. The fact the last two presidential elections have been highly suspect doesn't seem to faze.

"Why man, he doth bestride the world
Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs, and peep about
To find ourselves dishhonourable graves.
Men at some time, are masters of their fates.
The fault dear Brutus is not in our Stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings."

Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare

[bmsbms29]

I lived in Texas for over 25 years & I am glad that George Bush was Texas Governor & I am very thankful that he was elected President.

He is not perfect - NO ONE IS! But he cares more for our country than his popularity.

Popularity does not and will not protect our country. Did you want him to be like clinton - & just party & put all problems aside.

In addition, clinton left the presidential offices in a total mess. No wonder the Bush Administration did not know of any warnings concerning 9/11. It took them months to straighten out the mess left!!! But everyone seems to forget that.

Just remember - Would you rather have a president who PARTIES all the time & just wants you to like him OR would you rather have a President who cares for his country & wants to protect it.

President Bush is our man! Later many will look back & wish they had not been so negative toward him.

Thank you President Bush for caring! And for protecting our United States of America!!!!

[mcvet]

Bush's swagger was in full swing in 2000 and 2004 for all to see. The snarl was there, too. I felt the likeability thing was a media construct and not a real fact.
Reporting on ability and the issues is a media duty. At least, it used to be.
Posted by sesanders1 at 01:41 PM : Apr 01, 2007

Well Bush was "Handled" well too. Questions given him were TIGHTLY controled, submitted in advance. He was a puppet on a string but you gotta admit they pulled the strings very well indeed. What we need to demand is OPEN Access to the Canidates. When I see a Canidate like Bush out there, that's an automatic NO. Also, when I see a "Reformed" Religious Extremist, that's also a NO vote for me. A "Compassionate" Conservative? They'd better run because I'll start shooting.

[bill1fj]

I want someone to vote for that has some answers.
What would he/she do about the mess in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the mideast? Not what they dislike about Bush's plan but what would they do?
What would they do about the millions of illegal aliens in this country, and the businesses/people that hire them?
Education?
Health Care?
"Pork"?

Seems like everyone running is bashing others but not saying what they would do.
How about some answers?

[omega39-2009]

It's too bad that people didn't look at Bush's dismal record in Texas instead of voting for him because "He's the kind of guy you would like to have a beer with"

[thenamesdave]

Why is it more important for a president to be able to cook flapjacks or chop wood than it is for him/her to be smart, diplomatic, competent? Folksiness doesn't earn you any respect from me or from any of the rest of the world. Next time, why don't we put someone into office who's actually qualified? Maybe even one who can string together a few English words.

Bush's swagger was in full swing in 2000 and 2004 for all to see. The snarl was there, too. I felt the likeability thing was a media construct and not a real fact.
Reporting on ability and the issues is a media duty. At least, it used to be.