Should the President (any president) be a moral leader?

[Uzybone]

I read Cohen piece in the Post and he advocates that Obama should be a moral leader for the country. Do you think the president should be a moral leader of the country?

For the record gay marriage is not a moral issue IMO. It is a civil rights issue.


Edited to add: Leading by example does not count. All people should be expected to lead by example. Saying yes he should lead by example is kind of a cop out. When I ask "moral leader" I mean leader in the true sense of the word. Does the president have an obligation to direct the American people on moral issues?

[rucky]

1. Just by example. n/t

[Uzybone]

6. Agreed, but everyone should do that

This is about whether the president should be a moral leader to the people. Should he tell us or direct us on how to live our lives?

[lapfog_1]

2. Moral by no means implies religious. Just so you know. - n/t

[Uzybone]

4. I know that. Morality and religion are only tangetially related.

Whats "moral" in one religion is immoral in another.

[patrice]

5. Indeed it does not and, according to some lights, it's the opposite of religious.

The Lord Jesus was killed by his church and his government.

[patrice]

3. The only real morality comes from the personal willingness to Change for the Better and accept the

consequences upon your own immortal "soul" if you get it wrong.

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

7. Morals, ideals whatever you want to call them a president

should always lead by example.

[baldguy]

8. Not automatically.

He was elected to be Chief Executive, but moral leadership doesn't go with it. It's different, and it's earned every bit as much as the office itself is.

Picking Warren leaves him a few steps behind in that goal.

[SidneyCarton]

9. It's complex.

By virtue of being a leader, a leader has some moral effect. President Bush and his administration are good examples. In elevating ignorance, cynicism and belligerence and belittling honesty, rule of law and reason, Mr. Bush has affected us all, just look at pop culture during the Bush Years, from 24 to The Hills, shallow and mean are the new cool. My hope is that Obama may have an opposite effect, making intelligence and honor cool again.

[Diamonique]

10. Yes. And that's yet another way Bush failed this country.

[NYC Liberal]

11. The president should follow the law and the Constitution.

That's his job. Everyone has different "morals" anyways.

[Leo The Cleo]

12. Certainly . . .

The problem with many (most) of our Presidents that their moral compass has been skewed. This is a country whose moral base was barely alive 40 years ago. And people in this country still look to conserve the vestiges of hate. This countries politicians have supported those harmful sentiments. In recent history congress finally apologized for allowing slavery. In recent history Gays still can't marry. Our president needs to be morally sound. Because moral people realize that equality and equity help to fight depravity.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

13. I'll just settle for them being moral.

But if they're going to lead in that area, I'd prefer if they focused economic issues rather than social ones.

[IndianaJones]

14. if he finds homosexuality immoral, no. nt.

[tledford]

15. No. The President should be an ethical leader, not a moral leader. eom

[boppers]

16. The morals of:

JFK?
Bill Clinton?
Jefferson?
Jackson?

er...