which of the following does not explain why americans expect the president to provide strong leadership?
923813
none of the above....the president takes the power away from congress...unless its his own party in control
1064824
Because most of the American people ARE stupid. Geez, just look who they elected as president?!?
286660
It is like when one has to work in a group, in the real world. Often, no one elects a leader of the group, but an individual will still take charge so that the group will run smoothly.\n\nHistory has shown that there will always be a world leader, it just happens that the USA has stepped in to fill the gap for now, just as France, England, Rome, and others have before it. This will eventually change, for better or worse. So, I suppose the simplest answer to your question is "Nature."
10637
A president is meant to be a leader and good decision maker.  There is nobody in America who is well rounded enough to not need a Cabinet.  Cabinet members are experts in their respective fields.
267522
The best thng a president coming into office can hope for is "a mess". Look at Jimmy Carter. It makes it easier to get good poll numbers if the outgoing pres is unpopular.
992356
Simply put it this way\n\n1) The president is the Commander-In-Chief of our military, having somebody above him in rank, is ridiculous.\n\n2) If the president was allowed to serve in the military, imagine how much power hungry he will become, He will be a commander in the military with his unit supporting, and nobody to question because he is the commander in chief, which is basically a military dictatorship, now do we see the hypcropisy in this question
497096
Because a lot of Americans are intellectually dishonest! They have a hidden agenda as well. So why not let someone else carry out what they truly believe, so that they can continue to hide and not get blamed, or have to take responsibility for anything! Bush is the perfect person for their mission!
851320
I think as Americans all we truly want is to be treated fairly, and for the entire world to experience the peace and freedom we take for granted every day. We need a new strong leader that has the ability to convey this message to the world. We as a populace need to realize how the rest of the world views us. We can shrug it off and say we don't care what the rest of the world thinks.... but we really do. We need a new direction. To restore our "soft power", we need to be very careful about who we elect in '08.
627657
Bush Jr.'s heart and spirit burns with American patroism, but his cabinet appointment choices have been nothing less than poor; rife with unqualified and inept people.\n\nNot that this problem is isolated with just the White House, but historic and often tragic events during Bush Jr.'s terms have produced glaring clear evidence that other vital government operated offices our National safety depends on are rife with political brown-nosers whose ineptness adds a dangerous ingredient for a recipe of disaster.\n\nBottom line: I pray as Americans, we learn it's not very wise to elect politically empowered family members to become our President.
341119
because the average person has been helped more by this president then previous. more money being spent on entitlements, more jobs, record number of people owning there homes, more money in there pockets from tax cuts, most money giving on aids research , more people starting there own business. ahh a presidents that helps his fellow citizens. been bad things 911, the war, gas prices. but every good presidents tries to overcome these things not pass it on to some one else. that is called leadership.
1051220
I agree with you. But since you live in America, you also must know that we are never happy. We need to b*tch about something all the time. This President makes it so easy for us to do it.  No matter what people say, this country is a great place to live. Due to the greatness of this country, we also have the privillege of saying whatever things we like about our "great" leader. \n\nOne side note: It does not matter who the president is. America will alwasy b*tch about him or her.
476477
because the role of the politician is not to represent the people as a whole, but the rich. and what better way to do that than by having the president himself be a rich man. money is, literally, in every sense of the word, power. the fact that economic power and political power go together in this way shouldn't be surprising to anyone.
795435
In a Democracy, you get the leadership you deserve.  The American people are stupid, so stupid leadership is what they will vote for.  Any candidate who is intelligent would do well to conceal it.
374872
I think it has to do with the leadership. Some leaders are only interested in keeping all the power and money for themselves and don't help the nation.
1127991
I would suggest its boils down to apathy,detachment, failed expectation, or a combination of two or more of the three.\n\nApathy- Many people just don't care enough or find the issues the president may be involved in during his/her administration to be important enough for them to cast a vote,they would rather let the chips fall where they may.\n\nDetachment-Many people may feel so detached from politics in general or from the executive branch of government that they may feel separated or apart from any actual decision making processes that directly or indirectly affect them.\n\nFailed expectations-Many people have either encountered or have been influenced by others who allegedly encountered experiences where the Head of government at any level including national have failed to come through on their promises,or moved in some direction antithetical to the ones they indicated they would on given issues.Its a common interpretation that all politicians are liars and of course the president is at the top of the list.Many people do not subscribe to the notion that any single vote can make the difference.\n\nIt is my supposition that people in general have no idea what most of the actual issues are, or the positions the candidates have taken on them.It is my opinion that modern Americans have become jaded and self involved and detached from the concept of nationalism,except when it adversely effects their position or ideology.It is also my opinion that most people don't think their vote makes a difference, and there knowledge of our constitutionally created system of free democratic due process is limited at best.\n\nI agree with you,I do vote,I cherish the right to do so,and my expectations are high,I still believe that one vote can make the difference especially when the number of votes are declining.I guess you wanted non voters to answer this question but I just couldn't help myself, I hope it generates some reaction or response from non voters,at least we know they gave the subject on moment of thought,and that's probably more than they have in a long time.
88047
There are many factors that should be considered including the two you mention.  I think integrity is important, but intelligence and statemanship are also important.  I think an ability to heal the great differences that are threatening to tear this country apart and unite us is the single most important characteristic that the next president must bring to the office.  \n\nMoral character has been lacking in the last two presidents.  One had sex in the White House; the other either lied to get us into a war or was fooled and couldn't figure a way to get us out of it later.  Which is worse? You decide.  I have no use for either of 'em.\n\nWe need someone who can unite us.  I see no one I have any faith in with the possible exception of John McCain.  He has all of the qualities I mentioned, plus he would have credibility as a Commander-In-Chief, something else that has been lacking at the White House for a long time.
43
Because the American public is more willing to forgive presidents that don't project themselves as smarter then them.  Its similar to how Oliver North and the Irancontra scandal in the 80's did not affect Reagan's popularity, but how Clinton's "lies" about Monica almost resulted in impeachment.  In a way, this may be Bush's genius, that he understands what lies Americans are willing to accept, and not accept.