Is it all that important for a President to be "likable"?

[terrya]

George W. Bush has this impression, and I sure as hell don't see it, as being "likable"

John Kerry, who stands a good chance of being the Democratic nominee, is portrayed in the media as being sort of cold and aloof. Al Gore, in 2000, got the same rap.

Is it REALLY all that important to be perceived as "likable"? I mean, I'll never go to the corner bar and toss down a few beers with President Kerry. Now we're getting to the point where the press defines "likability", as though they've decided that that's a matter of critical importance.

Terry

[Demeter]

1. It Obviously Matters to Too Many People

But on the other hand, I never saw anything likeable in Reagan or any Bush. I can't even listen to their voices on radio without that nails on the blackboard revulsion.

[Nite Owl]

2. Yes, it probably is

important especially in a close race. The job of us Dems is to make it perfectly clear that there is nothing to like about someone who has spent out money and sent out children off to be killed. We have to make it clear that he isn't 'one of the guys' but someone who has been a child of privilege and a failure. Even without the media on our side at all I think it's possible. Bush* is sort of in a Catch 22 right now, if he opens his mouth about something what comes out is really bad (SOTU, the budget), if he keeps quiet then all that is heard are our candidates. Long way to go.

[arwalden]

3. My Dad and His Wife Swoon Because He's "Not Ashamed Of His Christianity"

(their words) and not ashamed to let his Christianity guide him in making wise decisions.

It makes me want to

-- Allen

[mr blur]

4. Well...

He should be!

[mr blur]

5. No

Just worthy of respect.

[bigendian]

6. Likable?

He never was in a public sense. He couldn't win the "popular" vote.
But when the WTC came tumbling down and my mind was screaming, "This changes everything!" And for the next hours and days when I waited for the next shoe to drop and watched the skies, marveling at the quiet I gave old Dubya a pass. And he blew it. His "finest hour" was one of the worst of my life. That is as close as I came to liking him. Actually, America needed him for about one month of his entire sorry ass excuse of a presidency.
Anybody that likes him as a person needs to have their head examined.
Anybody that likes him as a president can kiss my ass!