29 Things, Revisited

In November 2019, I offered this catalogue of traits I wished to see in an American President. From the day Joe Biden was announced as the winner of the 2020 Presidential Election, I planned to re-run the column for Inauguration Day, but after the dark events of January 6, I had second thoughts, wondering if perhaps I should say more, or provide an update. But, on consideration, I decided to let the essay stand as it was originally written–for anyone could see, in these points, a foreshadowing of what was to come.

I am sad and dismayed to be vindicated. And I pray, desperately, that we are ushering in an era of renewed dignity, truth, and compassion in our nearly-broken country.

I want a President who willingly releases his or her taxes to the American people. ¹
I want a President who is totally unconcerned about the number of people who attend the inauguration, knowing that has nothing whatever to do with the actual work of the Presidency. ²
I want a President who will respect and obey the emolument’s clause of the Constitution; who will divest him/herself of business interests which might result or even appear to result in a potential conflict of interest between the duties of a President and personal gain. ^{3, a & b}
I want a President who knows that “The Buck Stops Here”; who will say, “I take responsibility”. ⁴
I want a President about whom past business associates cannot claim to have been defrauded of legally-earned payment. ⁵
I want a President who will fire staff, when necessary, face-to-face, in person, in an appropriate and businesslike manner—not by Tweet. ^{6, a & b}
I want a President who totally eschews name-calling, vicious labels, hate speech, mockery, and all manner of bullying commentary. ⁷
I want a President who does not pander to nor ingratiate him/herself with dictators or the leaders of oppressive regimes. ^{8, a & b}
I want a President who, to avoid even the slightest appearance of favoritism and to demonstrate truly ethical behavior, does not appoint family members to positions within the administration. ⁹
I want a President who fully believes that the free American Press is one of the greatest strengths of this republic, and who shows them respect, even when they disagree with and lambaste him or her; who would never, under any circumstances, refer to the press by the fascist label of “Enemy of the People”. ^{10, a & b}
I want a President who recognizes that we are a nation of immigrants, and therefore welcomes those who are fleeing oppression; who takes ultimate responsibility for any separation of refugee parents and children; who would never subject children to prison-like conditions. ^{11, a & b}
I want a President who respects the rights and humanity of LGBTQ individuals. ¹²
I want a President who issues all national policy in the appropriate businesslike manner, in conjunction with his/her staff, and not by Tweet. ¹³
I want a President who respects the environment and works to preserve it for the safety and health of both current and future generations; who puts environmental concerns above business and financial interests. ^{14, a & b}
I want a President who demonstrates the utmost respect for the opposite sex; who, if faced with disclosure of past inappropriate speech or behavior toward the opposite sex, does not attempt to minimize the unpardonable behavior as merely “locker room talk”. ¹⁵
I want a President who is faithful to his or her spouse. ¹⁶
I want a President who behaves with dignity: who would not, under any circumstances, push another world leader aside; who would never, ever turn his or her back upon or walk in front of the Queen of England (not just because she is the Queen, but because she is a 93-year-old woman and deserving of courtesy). ^{17, a & b}
I want a President who will stand in the rain in order to hold the umbrella over his or her spouse.¹⁸
I want a President who will not welcome world leaders and representatives to hotels that he or she personally owns, thereby being seen as open to or attempting to create undue influence. ¹⁹
I want a President who, if faced with video evidence of a statement made previously, honestly acknowledges his or her words. ²⁰
I want a President who is consistent; who, if reaching new conclusions, states that he or she has done so and presents the logical and factual reasoning behind the reversal. ²¹ ^{a & b}
I want a President who would never, under any circumstances, ask a subordinate to lie in order to protect him/herself. ^{22, a, b & c}
I want a President who travels to visit the military in conflict areas without first being shamed into doing so by military press coverage of his or her failure to appear. ²³
I want a President who, if he or she did not personally serve in the military, does not provide a sham and bogus excuse for that lack. ²⁴
I want a President who will stand in the pouring rain to honor the brave men and women who died the World Wars to preserve freedom. ²⁵
I want a President who, despite disagreements, will honor and speak with respect of a fallen comrade; who would never disrespectfully raise the American flag during that individual’s funeral; who will not permit staff to speak rudely of deceased, gracious First Ladies of this country; who will not allow foreign dictators to disparage former American leaders in his or her presence. ^{26 a, b & c}
I want a President who will not obstruct justice. ²⁷
I want a President who will not abandon allies due to a financial conflict of interest.²⁸
I want, in fact, a genuine President: an honorable leader, who will demonstrate dignity, truth, courtesy, kindness, patience, composure, ethics, morality, and, above all, integrity.

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