When the call comes at 3AM I want a mind who was at the top of their class, who has gravitas and a real intellect
I want a leader who is a scholar who can hold the history of civilization in his head and will read and learn from the past as he charts the future.

DITTO

I can relate to that!

Outside of George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln--how many of our Presidents were at the top of their class, had gravitas & real intellect in the 20th century? In the 20th century, it has been the Presidential advisers that had the top of the class, gravitas & real intellect. Yes, we elect the man, but what "makes" him a President has been his advisers. He/she has the final decision, but it is the data that he receives both for & against before he makes a decision that determines his response.

We elected "the man" - Bush - who so successfully isolated himself from opinions that disagreed with his own philosophy, surrounding himself with only one kind of outlook, that we went down horrible paths that were totally uncalled for.

The wisdom of the candidate, his/her skill at evaluating character and analyzing situations, his/her ability to listen carefully to opinions not his own and not be swayed by people with an axe to grind - that's what we need.

I believe TR was very under rated, he gave us our national parks and forests, trying to preserve something for future generations, the current administration is wanting to clear cut and exploit for oil and gas, a drilling outfit can destroy acres of land, I have seen this with my own eyes, they keep the timber, do not pay damages on public land, that is why they like to drill there, the tax payers pay for replanting on federal land, not the timber companies, have talked with federal foresters, they are disgusted. TR said, " Love your country, always question your government". Smart words to heed.