Mike Scruggs
Several weeks ago I overheard a conversation about Republican presidential candidates in which one person insisted, “We need a candidate with charisma.” The word “charisma” comes from the Greek, kharisma, meaning divine favor. In New Testament Christian perspective it referred to extraordinary powers or abilities granted by the Holy Spirit. Current dictionary definitions of charisma define it as a rare personal magnetic charm and ability to arouse popular devotion and enthusiasm. However, I suggest that insisting on political candidates having charisma, either by the New Testament or the modern secular definition, is a misguided and dangerous idea. Certainly, being able to communicate ideas, facts, and principles clearly is an important quality for any leader, but beyond being a good communicator, there are more important qualities that we should insist upon for our political leaders.
It would be a tremendous national blessing to have a President whose character and wisdom were strongly influenced by the Holy Spirit, but looking for divine favor in the form of miraculous motivational skills is near blasphemous folly. Picking political leaders primarily by their ability to sway crowds and arouse popular devotion and enthusiasm is fraught with cataclysmic dangers. It is just asking for a clone of Adolf Hitler, who was the clearest manifestation of these qualities in the 20th Century. We do not want to place our future in the hands of demagogues or demigods. If we want honest, competent, and fair government; and if we want lasting freedom, peace, and prosperity for ourselves and our posterity, we must insist on evidences of superior wisdom and tested moral character and shun the idolatry of charismatic politicians.
Governing a republic of 308 million—guiding her through the perils of inevitable hardships, through the dangers set by implacable and powerful enemies at home and abroad, and past the moral hazards of political, economic, and social folly—is a daunting responsibility. Common sense cries out for leaders of superior intelligence, understanding, and the accumulated wisdom of experience at high levels of responsibility. We need political candidates with both strong people skills and the intellectual and moral qualities necessary for real leadership, not charismatic showmen with little more than glib verbal fluency.
Clemson University Professor David Woodard, the author of two books on President Ronald Reagan, comments that while Reagan was an excellent communicator, his primary leadership characteristics were character, conviction, and courage. Ronald Reagan was transparently honest and selfless in his devotion to the good of his fellow Americans. He was not a West Pointer, but he was a living reflection of the West Point Motto: Duty, Honor, Country. He unabashedly admitted that that his basic principles were from the Bible. He placed a high value on truth, loyalty, and hard work. People who met him sensed that he was genuinely interested in them and glad to be with them. He was a fellow you could trust.
His vision was not of the grandeur of high office or its credits, praises, and honors. His vision for America was from the Sermon on the Mount: a shining city on a hill whose good works would give glory to God. (Matthew 5: 14-16.) His determination was to do the right, fair, and honest thing to make America a great nation blessed by God and a blessing to the world. The measure of character is that its virtues are constant. Reagan did not change with this or that political wind. You could depend on him. Character is far more important than charisma, and thus we must adjust our political thinking in that direction or risk the calamity that befalls peoples who cast away truth and virtue
“An honest man’s the noblest work of God”—Alexander Pope, 1688-1744
“Wisdom is found only in truth.”—Johann Goethe, 1749-1832
What I have noticed about the most effective communicators is that they speak with conviction. They believe strongly in their ideas, principles, and goals. When they believe something is right, they stick to it. It is not covered up, murmured, or backpedaled. They present their ideas straight from the heart with energy, firmness, and boldness. Conviction is evidence of firmly held principles and the will to persevere against difficulties and opposition. Conviction is a manifestation of strong character. Personal charm and charisma are not its equal.
Courage is the ultimate virtue. Samuel Johnson said, “Where courage is not, no other virtue can survive except by accident.” Other virtues are buried and ineffective unless they are accompanied by courage. British writer and philosopher C. S. Lewis gave this stunning account of courage:
“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point…A chastity or honesty or mercy, which yields to danger, will be chaste or honest or merciful only on conditions. Pilate was merciful until it became risky.”
Ultimately all courage, including political courage and courage in battle, is moral courage. Moral courage more often than not is tested principally by time, often a long period of time. Moral courage is resolute and always accompanied by the will to persevere through hardships and disappointments. In the darkest days of World War II, Winston Churchill exhorted the British people to “…victory, however long and hard the road may be.”
Courageous leaders do not seek to remain safely politically correct. They do not have an excessive fear of being misunderstood, and they do not quickly wither and retreat under the favorite attack words of the liberal press. Their loyalty to principles and friends does not faint under criticism or controversy.
I still believe the American people will follow a leader who demonstrates intellectual competence, wisdom, vision, character, conviction, and courage. This time, our national survival depends upon it.
States and with various military missions overseas. 
