Offers comments on United States President Bill Clinton's
personality by an expert at analyzing presidents from afar. David Winter,
PhD, University of Michigan; Winter's views on Clinton's motivation, his
interest in power and prestige, the 'Slick Willie' label and more.
By
PT Staff, published on July 01, 1994
PRESIDENTIAL PERSONALITY
Psychologically speaking, President Clinton is something of a cross
between Jimmy Carter and Lyndon Johnson at his best. And that, says an
expert at analyzing presidents from afar, raises questions for the man
and the country.
Like both former presidents, Clinton so far has been motivated more
by achievement than by power goals. And like both, he entered office with
ideals and visions. Will he similarly get mired in frustration and exit
in defeat?
David Winter, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of
Michigan, is reasonably optimistic. Although that particular combination
of motives tends to be deadly in politics, he sees Clinton's interest in
power rising, reflecting a growing sense of comfort with the political
process.
According to Winter, who espies motives through systematic analysis
of imagery embedded in public speeches, a concern with power, impact, and
prestige is key to success as a leader in American life. It's what
enables a president to endure--even enjoy--the office through the
negotiation and compromise that even the best programs, built on the best
ideals and a concern for excellence, inevitably encounter on their way
through Congress. Think of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and John E Kennedy
as exemplars of highly power-motivated presidents.
There's nothing wrong with achievement motivation. It's perfect in
business. But unless balanced by an interest in power, the necessary
wheeling and dealing "may bring about a small death each day" and
overwhelm aspirations for significant change.
The "Slick Willie" label that follows Clinton in fact reflects a
very positive trait of achievement-oriented types--they alter their
positions based on feedback and new information. In politics, where
alliances are carefully constructed on issues, that could be upsetting to
some followers.
Imagery, Winter contends, reflects deep and relatively stable
personality characteristics that exert an influence on future events,
even though judging presidential character from afar is a little bit like
reading astrological signs.
Winter remains on the lookout for signs that Clinton's power motive
is ascending enough to balance his achievement motivation. He's analyzing
whether Clinton is enjoying himself in office, counting how often he
smiles, and praying that he maintains a sense of humor. The best sign of
all is whether he can continue to laugh at himself.
PHOTO: Prime Minister Rabin and PLO Chairman Arafat shaking hands
with President Clinton at their center.
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