Looking for Presidential Timbre (Updated)

Amid all the handicapping of the upcoming primaries, Thomas Sowell chimes in with a little reminder:  Remember, We're Choosing a President. 

Sowell's reminder is a timely one.  For whatever it's worth, here's Sowell's take on some of the candidates.  Notably, he's not a fan of John McCain in terms of presidential termperament.  Nor is Sowell fond of the demogogues from the left who will say anything, however irresponsible, to get elected:

With all the media attention to the various political rivalries in both parties, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that all of this is ultimately about choosing a President of the United States.

The question of what kind of President each candidate would make is infinitely more important than all the "horse race" handicapping that dominates the media.

By far the best presentation as a candidate, among all the candidates in both parties, is that of Barack Obama. But if he actually believes even half of the irresponsible nonsense he talks, he would be an utter disaster in the White House.

Among the Democrats, the choice between John Edwards and Barack Obama depends on whether you prefer glib demagoguery in its plain vanilla form or spiced with a little style and color.

The choice between both of them and Hillary Clinton depends on whether you prefer male or female demagoguery.

Among the Republicans, there are misgivings about the track record of each of the candidates, especially those who have shown what Thorstein Veblen once called "a versatility of convictions."

There are fewer reasons for misgivings about Fred Thompson's track record in the Senate but more reason to be concerned about what his unfocused and lackluster conduct of his campaign might portend for his performance in the White House.

When it comes to personal temperament, Governor Romney would rate the highest for his even keel, regardless of what events are swirling around him, with Rudolph Giuliani a close second.

Temperament is far more important for a President than for a candidate. A President has to be on an even keel 24/7, for four long years, despite crises that can break out anywhere in the world at any time.

John McCain trails the pack in the temperament department, with his volatile, arrogant, and abrasive know-it-all attitude. His track record in the Senate is full of the betrayals of Republican supporters that have been the party's biggest failing over the years and its Achilles heel politically.  . . . .

McCain's betrayals include not only the amnesty bill but also the McCain-Feingold bill that violated the First Amendment for the illusion of "taking money out of politics." His back-door deal with Democrats on judicial nominations also pulled the rug out from under his party leaders in the Senate.

The White House is not the place for a loose cannon.

Update:  James Lileks puts the question of presidential timbre this way:

In the end, I think of the person I'd like to see behind the big desk the night the President addresses the nation after the nutwads pull off something big.

That's a good question:  Which candidate do you want to see in the Oval Office the day after the next big 9/11?

Comments

[Fletcher]

The White House is not the place for a loose cannon.
Then what is W doing in it.

[Pope Ratzo]

The only thing that makes Mitt Romney presidential "timber" is that he's so wooden.

Some of our greatest presidents have been men who were not particularly on "even keel" 24/7.

My only question is why so many right-wing bloggers are buying into Romney's bid. At the moment, the only thing that makes sense is that the bloggers are projecting their own desires onto the blankest slate in the field. Since Romney has adapted to whichever position gives him the greatest chance of winning the next race (it will change in November. Heck it will change in Florida.) they think maybe they've got a decent chance that at some point Romney will adapt to their particular position. It's not so much that they think Romney's the best candidate, it's that they think the basest of the base will think he's the best candidate. They are completely surprised that the base has so easily seen through Romney.

[benning]

I'm a Fred supporter. I think he's the best choice out there. Would that he'd get more energetic and whip up the Republicans and 'undecideds'.