[Huck]

I would expect real leaders, principled men, to stick to their avowed standards regardless of political pressures. Am I naive to want character in a president?

I don't know if your conclusions are sound. What I am suggesting is that there are moral implication to strategic choices. That doesn't mean compromise is ALWAYS right, or that better leaders couldn't get more accomplished, but it DOES mean that compromise and character are not mutually exclusive. As for principled leadership, all I ask is that politicians follow through on what they say they will do. I think GWB is doing that, which is why I find it hard to believe someone could be surprised by his performance so far.

[tpaine]

Am I naive to want character in a president?

And aren't you being disingenuous to want us all to accept less?

-------- Yep. - Your answer that you don't know to my first question is evidence that you should answer the second with a yes. -- Thank you.