At a recent stop on his book tour for Shade, Pete Souza provided the following list of qualities one might look for in a presidential candidate. Obviously, his time spent with Barack Obama influenced this list, as does the contrast between Obama and Donald Trump. I agree with what Souza values in compiling this list, although I’m sure there are other things that would merit adding. Nevertheless, here are his words.
We should elect a president who:
- Respects the institution of the press.
- Understands the power of the written word and that words have an impact.
- Doesn’t overuse his/her phone for bombast and narcissism (or, at the very least, has a spouse who will take their phone away if they do).
- Knows how to respond after a mission or military action (namely, speaking to the American people directly about what was done and why).
- Will not be laughed at by world leaders, because he/she will talk to allies and won’t pander to enemies.
- Will dance with his/her spouse (and get his/her spouse a birthday present).
- Takes time with his/her kids.
- Has a dog.
- Respects everyone, including custodians (and doesn’t look down on other people).
- Will pick good people to sit on the Supreme Court, including people who aren’t middle-aged white men.
- Has good reactions to kids and gets down on their level.
- Knows how to take a selfie.
- Is someone you can trust with your babies’ lives.
- Doesn’t care if a child is black, white, Hispanic, etc.
- Responds appropriately to national tragedy.
- Musicians will willingly perform for at the White House.
- Will laugh at the little things … and make staff laugh at them, too.
- Knows who Rosa Parks was.
- Will be welcomed into the club of former presidents.
- Respects veterans and visits them regularly (such as once a quarter).
- Will pray with injured veterans.
- Visits Afghanistan, visit the injured veterans there, and bring artists to perform … even though doing this requires making a secret trip entirely at nighttime to avoid security threats.
