Comments on: The President is Not a Role Model

By: When Role Models Fail Us: Where Does It Leave the Children? « Dr. Robyn Silverman’s Blog

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:25:59 +0000

[...] and disappointment we must wonder what our children are thinking. Who wants to aspire to be THAT ? When golden parachutes open for those who steal, lie, and cheat, can we really teach our children [...]

By: Recruiting Animal

Recruiting Animal — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 17:01:47 +0000

In religious communities in which life is more subject to social
controls we get people who don’t have a chance to make personal
mistakes.

The secular leaders, however, even of traditional societies seem
to have lived to a large extent above any kind of regulation.

When you live in a liberal society in which people are free to
make mistakes, you are going to have leaders who have made them.

And in our society with its large media organizations and omnipresent
cameras and reporters, not much is going to escape the spotlight.

I’m not saying that it’s good to select leaders with obvious flaws
but to claim or imply that it was a lot better in the past you need
to show us the past in equal detail.

By: Jeff C.

Jeff C. — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 15:59:08 +0000

Mark,

In a sense I agree with you that the President is no longer capable of
being the main role model for today’s youth. However, I do think we,
as a nation should begin to demand that these people are held to higher
standards, unfortunately with the “Josh Howard” effect (taking from your
post removing the J.Howard post) of 24/7/365 high tech surveillance of
popular individuals, and the line blurred severely between entertainment
and politics (sometimes I watch the election coverage and am reminded of
professional wrestling — the acting is somewhat better in professional
wrestling.

Because people lives are invaded to a degree never before experienced, it
is impossible for any public figure to truly become, or remain a role
model for very long.

love the blog.

By: Jared

Jared — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 05:21:00 +0000

“I don’t care if our President or VP has smoked pot. I don’t care if they weren’t a good student. I do care about how well they can do their job.”
You summed up the whole problem and you probably didn’t even realize it. If you did care and the majority of voters cared then the politicians would have to live up to OUR standards, but because you don’t care they don’t have to either. I hope they can do the job too, and I think it is extremely unfair to blame a parent for their kids teenage pregnancy.

By: Ram

Ram — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:35:10 +0000

Mark,

But our country was also founded on the principle that we have a right
to expect a much higher standard from our elected leaders, including
their moral decisions and scrutiny of past actions.

This is the point… Just saying forget about it, is not good enough.
At least let them openly set the high standards. A president is not
just a CEO. He is also the person with the power to make every lasting
changes in the way society functions…

At the end of the day, even the basic human rights are a matter of
morality. I am not saying that I support a president who decides
without common sense or who is incapable of articulating why he came
to a decision… But I do believe that a president has to be held
to very high standards. Issues are part of the equation. But remember
issues may change very quickly. The man remains.

We need a pragmatic leader, capable of admitting his shortcomings,
but who also expects a high level of commitment and excellence of the
people in this country, including in what we believe is good for
society. Of course this doesnt reduce to our current oversimplified
debate about abortion, etc…

But let us not forget, a president is not just a CEO… If not, just
hire some suit and give him stock USA

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 15:22:25 +0000

It’s sad that we don’t expect a role model to hold the most powerful office in the land. I’ve been reading that, with self-discipline and courage, can come great vision. I think that’s what we have loved about certain rhetoric of past Presidents or leaders in general. I think, we no longer believe that leaders HAVE THE ABILITY to be role models. You’re right Mr. Cuban, there can be incredible leaders with no ability to be good role models, there’s a long list. That doesn’t mean they were the best person for that job. I’ve been in leadership positions and I disagree with Charles Barkley or, at least, I believe he took a selfish and easy way out in declaring that he was not a role model. I have worked in the residential treatment field for seven years, working with at-risk youth…who have no real family to return to. Believe me, he can sqawk all he wants about not being a role model, but I can him meet inner city kids who have become just as mouthy and arrogant because they have his rookie card and jersey. They want to grow up and be just like Charles Barkley.
People who are highly visible become role models because people have come to overly respect and legitimize the field of entertainment. It is also true that being a role model, on the level of exposure you operate, comes along with that kind of overexposure. There are analysts who look to Barkley’s approach to reporting or television commentary. He has never looked very bright after his commentary on role models. Nor can a person assume that public figures can’t be role models because there are people who want to follow in your, yes Mr. Cuban, your footsteps. This is human, this is a small part of the way humans attach (it is proven through attachment theory, how people connect to those who seem most important and give them a sense of meaning). Raising a child is completely the responsibility of the parents, a child will naturally attach to different parts of his/her environment. It’s a part of how everybody is wired.

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 13:42:06 +0000

No… they are role models. In a sense, everyone is. The point is, what type of role model are they. The President, as any other public figure (professional entertainers – music, movies, athletes, etc.)should be positive role models which is why they are publicly criticized and rightly so.

Question – why compare Obama with Palin. McCain is not compared to Biden.

By: David Weiner

David Weiner — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 12:17:32 +0000

Mark,

Great post, but I do take exception with one line … “Could this election be any more crazy when the Democratic candidates are better role models for family values than the Republicans ?”

That’s not exactly fair, it’s just that Republicans have claimed to own the faily values issues just as they’ve claimed to own National Security, fiscal conservatism, and no ties to lobbying. The reall difference here is the Democrats have never been, as of the last 8 years, so condescending and disrespectful of their contingents to outright lie and play Rovian/Orwellian politics.

I hope you don’t believe that because then you haven’t been paying much attention to guys like Tom DeLay, Mark Foley, Ted Stevens, Jack Abramoff, and just about the rest of them …

By: Role Models « Thinking Out Loud

Role Models « Thinking Out Loud — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:05:51 +0000

[...] here to read on and yes I believe it will matter in the end…but that’s not what I am talking [...]

By: The Connected Lawyer » Is the President a Role Model?

The Connected Lawyer » Is the President a Role Model? — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:04:50 +0000

[...] normally stay away from political discussions here. However, I found a recent post by Mark Cuban particually thought provoking. Mark’s conclusion is that our President [...]