One could ask, my feather-headed friend, for an honest, forthright President who lived within and under the law, sought prosperity, avoided violence except as a last resort, lead by example rather than by decree, protected and defended the Constitution rather than an elite base, and considered truth to be senior to political slickness. One could ask for a leader who did well in some field of endeavour more elevated that cocktails and backslapping. One could ask for a leader who knew something about the culture in which he lead and knew what its true potential for greatness was, and why. One could ask for a leader who understood the corrosive influence of massive debit-spending on the morale and economy of the nation. One could ask for a man who knew the English language better than the average long-haul trucker. One who knew how to negotiate from strength of wisdom, rather than bullying by force of arms and who used courage instead of beetle-browed obstinacy to accomplish things.

A