“Sometimes, I wonder what it’s gonna take, to find dignity.” –Bob Dylan
Dignity. What does dignity mean to you? The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines dignity as:
“The quality or state of being worthy of esteem or respect."
"Inherent nobility and worth: the dignity of honest labor."
"Poise and self-respect."
"Stateliness and formality in manner and appearance."
"The respect and honor associated with an important position."
"A high office or rank."
"Archaic A dignitary.”
Presidential. How do you define presidential? The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines presidential as:
"Of or relating to a president or the presidency."
"Befitting a president, especially the office of the President of the United States: criticized the candidate for not looking presidential."
"Of or relating to a political system in which the chief officer is a president who is elected independently of the legislature for a fixed term: a presidential government."
Based on those definitions, or whatever the terms dignity and presidential happen to mean to you personally, do you think that this or this
meets either standard? Or have we collectively become a movement in which it is not necessary for our presidential candidate to be dignified or presidential?
Much has been made of the fact that Ronald Reagan held the dignity of the office of the Presidency in such high esteem. In fact, the man respected it so much that he refused to take off his suit coat in the in the Oval Office. Conversely, Bill Clinton obviously did not care about the dignity of his office, as evidenced by his personal actions and was condemned for it by our party faithful. Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn’t that what we on the Right considered his cardinal sin? In addition to his legal wrongs and incorrect policy decisions, we took extreme issue with the fact that the man threw away the dignity of the Presidency and of the United States of America with his conduct.
As Mayor, Rudolph Giuliani engaged in the above referenced behavior for the sake of simple humor while sacrificing his dignity. Those are not the only instances of behavior on his part, and neither is he the only candidate that is known to have behaved in an undignified manner.
Do we as a country, or as Republicans or Conservatives, want to sacrifice our dignity yet again? Or do we want a candidate that will unquestionably uphold the dignity of the party, of the office he holds, and of the United States of America?
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