I notice that our presidential elections always seem to boil down to cartoon characterizations of the main candidates. The Republican is generally characterized by the media as the person of principle and character, albeit a bit dim-witted. (Reagan, George Bush junior, McCain)
The Democrat is generally characterized as whip-smart but with a suspect character. (Clinton, Kerry, Clinton again, Obama)
This got me wondering which sort of candidate is a more dangerous leader. Would you prefer a brilliant person with a suspicious character or a dumb person with high character?
If I HAD to choose from among those two bad options, I’d go with the smart person with suspicious character. If that President is lining his pockets and playing nude Twister in the oval office, it doesn’t have that much impact on me. But if he does something stupid with the defense or economy, that hurts me.
What’s your choice? (Please stick to the hypothetical and don’t argue about whether individual candidates fit the stereotype because that would be tedious.)