All the best characteristics for a head of state

There is something incredibly reassuring about Obama.

He's serious without being severe, he's charming without being glib, he's diplomatic without being vague, he's intelligent without being superior, he's a loyal family man who doesn't shove his family values down our throats, he doesn't preach, he doesn't lecture, but he also appeals to our better nature and asks us to be better people.

Admittedly, not all of his policies have been unequivocal successes, and I don't agree with him on some issues, including his use of drones and a bailout of the banks that didn't provide the necessary guarantees to prevent another collapse. Plus, he hasn't always been effective at communicating his jobs and economic growth program to certain parts of the US, like the rustbelt.

But in terms of character, he had the perfect balance. He isn't a rabble-rousing demagogic populist like some leaders I could mention, but neither is he all full of worthy weight-of-the-world-on-my-shoulders piousness like a few other current leaders I could also mention. He was a strong charismatic leader that inspired one's trust, neither a bully nor a wimp, but a hero. We need his type to re-emerge.