The GOP candidates’ best leadership traits

A look at each Republican contender’s best leadership attribute.

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Why explore the best leadership traits?

As author and professor Fred Greenstein writes, every president has been the subject of an inundation of prose, but “that outpouring is directed to the ends the president sought rather than the means he used to advance them.” Judging by the ink spilled on past presidents, Greenstein writes, we care much more about “the merits of his policies rather than the attributes that shaped his leadership.” With that in mind, Post Leadership blogger Jena McGregor decided to engage in a little thought experiment — and explored the strongest leadership trait of each GOP candidate running for president.

Andrew Burton / Getty Images

Leadership trait: Common sense

Jena McGregor on Ron Paul’s best leadership trait: "This faith in common sense is what anchors Paul’s leadership, and is what makes him patient and trusting that both the system — and the voters — will ultimately come around to his truth telling. It’s often said Paul’s popularity comes from the fact that his followers trust him. But perhaps more important, he makes them feel like he trusts them."

Keith Bedford / Bloomberg

Leadership trait: Pragmatic

Jena McGregor on Mitt Romney's best leadership trait: "Romney’s pragmatic, fact-driven style attracts supporters disillusioned by Obama’s promises for change and Bush’s certainty and faith. Romney’s followers aren’t necessarily looking for grand inspiration. They’re looking for someone who can execute on solutions, even if they’re incremental ones."

Scott Gries / AP

Leadership trait: Purpose

Jena McGregor on Rick Santorum's best leadership trait: "Perhaps Santorum’s strongest leadership attribute is that he taps into a deeper sense of purpose. Almost everything the Catholic candidate believes is rooted in a set of moral values, and the idea that such principles underlie his actions and political views has helped attract followers and appeal to evangelical voters."

Jeff Haynes / Reuters

Leadership trait: A sense of the base

Jena McGregor on Rick Perry's best leadership trait: "Sure, Rick Perry has charisma to spare. He’s confident, folksy and has good looks to boot. But his biggest leadership strength is not a charming and Texas-sized swagger — it’s a finely tuned radar for putting a megaphone to what his followers want to hear."

Samantha Sais / Reuters

Leadership trait: Independence

Jena McGregor on Jon Huntsman's best leadership trait: "Huntsman’s supporters are looking for bridge-builders, yes. But they’re also responding to someone who has one of the most fundamental of leadership traits: The fortitude to stand on the other side of the stage and be different from many in the pack."

Spencer Platt / Getty Images

Leadership trait: A sense of significance

Jena McGregor on Newt Gingrich's best leadership trait: "What inspires Gingrich’s supporters is not just his ideas but the way he wraps them in narratives about the past and the future ... causing those who support him to feel they are part of something of significance, something much bigger than themselves."

Spencer Platt / Getty Images

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