Those top five traits were perceived as extremely important
across political or ideological lines. But the study reported sig-
nificant differences between Republicans and Democrats on
the value of other traits. Decisiveness, a strong belief in God,
and military service were more important (in that order) to Re-
publicans than Democrats. Democrats thought experience in
foreign policy, having new ideas, understanding and sympa-
thizing with others, experience in Washington, and being like-
able were more important than Republicans did. The biggest
gap between the parties was this: 14 percent or more Democ-
rats than Republicans thought the following were extremely or
very important—having new ideas, understanding and sympa-
thy with other others, and being likable.
The study was published in November 2007, and it is fasci-
nating to see which candidates were ascendant at that time.
The top choice was Hillary Rodham Clinton—33 percent of
respondents said they had a great deal of confidence she would
be a good president. Barack Obama was second, with 22 per-
cent reporting a great deal of confidence in his ability to lead.
Next was Rudy Giuliani, chosen by 18 percent. John Edwards
followed at 13 percent. Twelve percent said they had a great
deal of confidence that John McCain would be a good presi-
dent. Also worth noting is that 26 percent of respondents said
they had no confidence (“none at all”) that Clinton would
make a good president. That was the largest no-confidence rat-
ing in the study. Nineteen percent had no confidence in Barack
Obama, and 20 percent had no confidence in John McCain.
When retired general Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama
on “Meet the Press” on October 19, Powell described Obama
as a “transformational figure” who was the right president for
this moment in time. The long, contentious campaign had
On Becoming a Leader