Thought Police

Published by FRSC

Today I am playing "thought police" and instead of giving out a citation I am nominating someone for an "Accomodation". I love this insightful composition. I agree wholeheartedly - do you?

Too Conscientious

A recent magazine article discussed the electability of presidential candidates based on personality traits. The lead-in said that Mitt Romney rated low on electability because he is too conscientious. My reaction was, “how can that possibly be a deficiency?”

The article went on to explain that being overly conscientious is off-putting to the general public. Mitt was described as being proper, diligent, detail-oriented, and super-rational. Those seem like redeeming qualities to me. The most electable candidate in recent history, the article stated, was Bill Clinton because he is an extrovert. I think history shows how that worked out.

The theory is that people want to relate to candidates. Does that mean the average person is not proper, less than diligent, sloppy about details, and irrational? Certainly a segment of society has a poor work ethic, lacks manners, and is unreasonable in many ways. Those are the clerks who provide poor customer service, persons who don’t want to be accountable, the habitually late, the rude movie-goers who texts during the show, or insert your own pet peeve. I like to think this is a small minority. It is too sad to consider that most people cannot relate to someone who is conscientious.

According to the article, the attractiveness of extroverts compared to those who are mannerly and meticulous is a recent phenomenon. I believe that we are returning to the thoughtful ways of yesteryear; the plethora of citizen activists is an indication. The silence of the majority was deafening in November 2010 when republicans regained the majority in the Congress.

Mitt Romney is indeed conscientious. Astute analysts think he is the most electable candidate. I don’t know who created the personality based rating scale but I think it is bunk. It reminds me of the notion that only attractive people can become president. I guess the populace wasn’t aware of that criterion in 1860 when they elected Abraham Lincoln. He led the country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis with integrity and vigor. Who cares about his haggard and rather homely appearance? The electorate got it right and we are blessed with the legacy of his leadership.

By November 2012 we’ll know who is elected to be president of the United States. A constellation of conditions will determine the outcome. I am convinced that it will not be because someone is too conscientious.

Marilyn Mitchell