Which of the following are common leadership qualities that good presidents appear to have?

With 1988 a presidential election year, and many current high school students preparing to vote for the first time, what are the qualities you look for in a presidential candidate?

Maybe I am a dreamer, but I am looking for a presidential candidate with the charisma of John F. Kennedy and the honesty of Abraham Lincoln. America needs a presidential leader who will stress the importance of solving the drug problem and making education a top priority.

A presidential candidate would get my vote if he took a strong stand on crime. Drugs are a serious problem in the United States. The future of our generation is "scary" unless we get it under control now.

The next president of the United States would need to put more money into our schools and bring respect back to the teaching profession. We are the leaders of tomorrow and education is a vital tool to our success. I'd like to see a big emphasis on the basics: reading, writing, and arithmetic.

My dreams for a presidential candidate can come true if I vote for the candidate totally committed to solving the drug problem and to giving us a top-rate educational program in the United States.

KIM TEGELER

High Point

I feel that a candidate running for president should be a good leader, instead of a follower. That person should also be healthy. Our president should be a patriotic citizen and a very good negotiator. Our president should be well experienced in government policies. We need a person who promotes education, and who wants to help the middle class working people.

DOMINIKA PROCTOR

Bowie

With the presidential elections rapidly approaching, I have often thought of the qualifications I would establish if I were to choose our next president.

Besides being honest, patriotic, loyal, having a background in government and being able to get along with people well, there are many other characteristics a president should have.

In these changing times, the president needs to be versatile and able to adapt to new situations easily. He or she should have an open mind towards future plans and the initiative to think of better ways to proceed with plans that have otherwise failed.

Our president should be concerned with world peace, ecology, U.S. trade, reducing the crime rate and making sure that generation after generation can experience living in the country "of liberty and justice for all."

MICHELLE WILLIAMS

Frederick Douglass

The best presidents are good leaders who talk to the people and find out what they would do in a situation. In hard times, with hard decisions, these presidents aren't afraid to admit that they need assistance. A good president takes necessary action against unfriendly countries when they step out of line.

A good quality is knowing where the budget needs amending and make the adjustments needed. Maybe one day, we will have a president who realizes that Japan is taking our business. Unfortunately, we don't have too good of a choice this election year.

FRED MOORE

Tall Oaks

There are several qualifications I look for in a presidential candidate. One of the most important is honesty. Honesty is a characteristic that all people should have, especially people who want to run the country. A candidate must present an honest approach to the problems of all American people.

Another important characteristic a presidential candidate should have is versatility. There are a lot of important issues in the world today, all of which need equal attention. The person who is selected to be our leader should have an open mind and strong character.

Finally, I think a presidential candidate should have a strong family background and education. If he or she possesses these qualities, they will have a sense of compassion, loyalty and understanding. These things can be found in people who have a strong sense of family.

In conclusion, these are only a few of the things I look for in a presidential candidate, but I think these are the most important.

AMANDA ROBERSON

Fairmont Heights

With the 1988 presidential election close at hand, there are several qualities for high school voters to look for in a candidate. The first of these qualities is that the candidate looks upon the youth of America as a group of citizens just as important as any other.

Although only a very small percentage of high school students can vote, it is very important that this group does vote. By voting, youth makes itself a group of importance because it has gained a voice in government.

Another quality to look for in the candidates is that they strive to make improvements within the educational system in the United States. If the system goes uncorrected, the future of the youth of the '80s could be destroyed.

A third quality for students to look for in the candidates is that these men aim to take serious action about the drug problems before too much of the population dies due to drugs. The moral standards of this generation need to be raised; this is a presidential responsibility.

These are just a few of the qualities high school voters look for in a presidential candidate.

DAWN OSTROM

Queen Anne

As the presidential election draws near, voters must choose which qualities they will look for in the candidates. One of the two candidates running today will become our nation's next president and leader. The decision now facing voters should be handled with much thought and should not be taken lightly.

A president must possess certain characteristics. In order to demonstrate to the public his true desire to be elected, a candidate should address specific issues and not always envelop himself in a cloud of patriotic remarks to avoid the problems of this country.

The president of such an important country as the United States cannot afford to be "trigger happy." With so many lives in his hands, he must not be so quick to use weapons and should, instead, try even harder to solve problems verbally.

A candidate must also make room in his budget for the citizens of America below the poverty level. Every inhabitant deserves a chance for a better life. A president must appropriate funds to help those in dire need. When the levers are pulled in November, it is hoped that some people will have used their heads before their hands place the vote.

KATIE FARR

Oxon Hill

Believe me, if I could vote this year, I would be the first at the booth so I could express my views through the person I voted for and be a part of this government.

I believe one of the most important qualities in a president is the candidate's foreign affairs policy. This is very important to me because if the policy is not capable of keeping good relations with other countries, it could keep our country from helping to promote peace in the world. If the policy is strong and capable of promoting peace and of modifying our relationship with Russia and other countries, then the policy is perfect. I don't believe in a policy that says the United States should stay out of others' problems. We shouldn't, because the world is our problem and our concern. If we don't care, we could lose in all of our country's affairs and relations.

Getting involved can only make the world better.

WILLIAM COX

Bishop McNamara

Honesty, ability and intelligence are the three most important qualities that I look for in a presidential candidate. I would want to see a compassionate, yet strong-willed, person who would have respect for all individuals and their professions.

He or she would have to be dedicated to his/her position and preferably have experience in leadership. His ability to act under pressure and to be responsible for his actions contribute to my approval of a candidate.

Other qualities I look for are persistence, his alertness to what is happening around him and his desire to have peace. Electing a person who is to the point and able to communicate with the public is important. I would have to see what the candidate is doing "off camera," instead of that he is saying on camera, because for me, actions speak louder than words.

SHERRON BISHOP

Gwynn Park

As election time draws near, one must look through the political rhetoric to identify the issues and select the candidate who will best represent his views.

I feel that the most important issues facing this nation are the increasing national debt and the nuclear arms race. I would vote for any candidate who has the strength and integrity to resolve these issues and lead the way to a better America. Over the past eight years, the trade deficit has almost tripled and our strength in the international marketplace has weakened. America needs a president who will force Congress to pass legislation which will reduce our trade deficit, cut wasteful, billion-dollar defense programs and decrease aid to major drug-exporting countries. These cost-saving measures will then reduce our national debt. America needs a president who can achieve these goals without cutting social security and other essential social programs, including education and aid to the homeless.

Furthermore, America needs a president who will pursue the peace initiative with the Soviet Union so that we can finally bring an end to the insanity of the nuclear arms race and ensure the survival of mankind. To do this, however, a president must be willing to take the initiative, to work with the Soviets in order to establish peace treaties which will greatly reduce the threat of nuclear war. The INF treaty has laid the groundwork for the next president to start to reduce short-range missiles in Europe.

When I vote, I will be looking for a candidate who will give us actions and specific programs to achieve my top priorities: reducing the deficit and arms control.

JANELLE RODRIGUEZ

Pallotti

As a teen-ager, the qualities I would look for in a presidential candidate are leadership ability, honesty and his work with education and the high cost of higher education.

I would also look for his experience in foreign affairs, health insurance and his work with minority families. Of course, with all of these expectations, an increase in taxes is also expected. But a presidential candidate, if he is to be really successful, will need to figure out a way to make life simple for the middle class, while funding the social welfare of the lower class.

BISRAT MEKBEB

Friendly

"Speak Out" Topic for November 3:

Considering the recent success of the space shuttle Discovery, what is your opinion of the United States' continued role in the exploration of outer space?

Responses should be no more than 150 words in length and typed or written legibly. Political-style cartoons on the topic are welcome and should be drawn on posterboard. All submissions should include the student's name, school and grade.

Responses should be addressed to:

Weekly High Schools

The Washington Post

1150 15th St. NW

Washington, D.C. 20071

Deadline for responses is Monday, Oct. 24.