President, Not Pastor

 

I recall when Donald Trump initially ran for President, many people questioned his viability because of a litany of morally questionable behaviors in his history, from grabbing women by their you know whats, to discriminatory housing activities in he and his father's real estate operations in the 1970s, to accusations of sexual assault, and so on. These questions only compounded after Trump became president. 

This article is not to rehash specifics about Trump, nor is this actually about Trump himself. Rather, I wonder why it has come that these sorts of questions of moral turpitude have been written off, including by the evangelical Right, of whom more than 80% voted for Trump in the 2020 election. 

Some of my earliest concerns regarding Trump had to do with the appropriateness of his character for the presidency. Obviously, there has rarely been a squeaky-clean President in our recent history, which shows that none are angels. Yet, the Republicans of the late 1990s rallied on moral grounds against Bill Clinton's sexual escapades and honesty, but today the party seems quicker to dismiss such foibles. 

Recently, a cousin of mine posted this meme on her FB feed:

 

 

I know that when I mentioned Trump's character in debates, I would often hear from Trump supporting Christians that they elected a President and not a pastor, as if that somehow made it sufficiently OK. Does it? Surely, we shouldn't expect perfection and we are all proverbially sinners. But should we really dismiss the moral disposition of a candidate for the expediency of our causes?

I think of the American founding fathers and their concern for the morality and virtue of public office. They offer statements like these:

"It will not be too strong to say, that there will be a constant probability of seeing the station [of President] filled by characters pre-eminent for ability and virtue." -Alexander Hamilton, Federalist Paper # 68.

 

"This process of election affords a moral certainty that the office of President will seldom fall to the lot of any many who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications." -Alexander Hamilton, Federalist Paper # 68.

"In times of turbulence, when the passions are afloat, calm reason is swallowed up in the extremes to which measures are attempted to be carried; but when those subside and the empire of it is resumed, the man who acts from principle, who pursues the paths of truth, moderation, and justice, will regain his influence." -George Washington, Letter to John Luzac, 1797.

"Though I prize, as I ought, the good opinion of my fellow citizens; yet, if I know myself, I would not seek or retain popularity at the expense of one social duty or moral virtue." -George Washington, Letter to Henry Lee, 1788. 

Or,

“I go on this great republican principle, that the people will have virtue and intelligence to select men of virtue and wisdom. Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation.” -James Madison, Speech at the Virginia Ratifying Convention, 1788.

There are many more quotes I could post from our founders regarding the virtue of both leaders and civic society. What is certain is that virtue was seen as a necessity for successful government and the security of liberty. Surely, this did not mean perfection, since every one of our fore-bearers had vices. But on balance, the necessity for good character was seen as essential within leadership. In other words, the best possible leader was the ideal or necessary leader. 

Have we abandoned this principle?

I believe we have. And it is ubiquitous in politics. Still, the presidency is the most notable office in the land, so above all else, we ought to be most guarded here. Of course we aren't electing pastors, but we should be seeking after virtue, character, and quality before expedience, novelty, or just to counter the status quo. 

Character should matter. It must.