Which Candidate Loves America? Which Candidate Loves Power?

[TwilightGardener]

Something I have been thinking about lately, after reading an old Men's Health article about the Ideal Presidential Candidate--their #1 criteria was that the candidate should dearly love every region and corner of America, as well as its Constitution and its people--or words to that effect. Who in the current race--declared or potential--truly loves and values America the most, and who is in it for personal power and glory? To me, most of the Republicans seem to be in the race for power--both for their own ambitions and for the Republican party. For those who love America more than their own self-glorification, my picks are Obama and Edwards. Not to insult anybody else's candidates, of course. What do you think?

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. My feeling is that ALL politicians, all parties, LOVE power.

That is the only way that they could survive in politics. Just my take, anyway. So, for us, pretty much all elections are the skill of selecting the lesser of evils, in a way. Are we cynical? Hell, yes (and not the least bit interested in power, personally!).

[TwilightGardener]

3. You don't believe there's anyone out there running for prez

who is doing so because he or she loves this country? I do. Yes, of course they're all ambitious egomaniacs--you have to be to seek that office. But let's not be THAT cynical--LOL!

[Clarkie1]

2. If Clark gets in he will be the one most in it for America, not himself. nt

[TwilightGardener]

5. I agree--anyone who served in the military has an edge here--

so Clark, McCain, and Hagel can be counted in. But McCain definitely seems more in it for himself now--he has violated so much of his own integrity. Nope, he goes back into the power-hungry column. Clark takes on projects, like stopping war with Iran, that show how devoted he still is to his country. A good guy.

[iamjoy]

4. Why Can't They Love Both

it takes a certain amount of ambition and love of power in order to be a leader. It takes a love of people and desire to serve to be a GOOD leader.

[TwilightGardener]

6. I'm not saying that love of country and love of power are mutually

exclusive. It's just that upon reflection, some candidates stand out more in my gut as truly wanting to serve their country, and some (Rudy, anyone?) seem to be in it for, shall we say, more personal reasons.

[msongs]

7. you claim only 2 meet your requirements and the others do not nt

[TwilightGardener]

8. Those two (Obama and Edwards) stand out for me--here's why:

Obama is a Constitutional law lecturer at a college--he teaches this stuff to young minds. He obviously must appreciate and grasp the subject matter to be able to do so effectively. He was a community organizer. He has had an interesting life story, living outside the US mainland, and he is of mixed race--I can't help but believe those factors give him a unique perspective on a lot of aspects of American life, and maybe lend to his appreciation of what this country is supposed to be about. For Edwards, he just oozes populist passion--he came from working-class roots, worked hard, made himself a success, and turned back around and fought for the little guy, those who have next to no say in government and no money with which to buy influence. I could go into Hillary and her long history of advocacy for children, etc. My question was, who stands out the most for you in terms of their love and service to country?