This year's election could not come at a more opportune time. For the past eight years, in my opinion, our once proud nation has slowly been deteriorating; a lack of leadership will produce such a vicious, spiraling domino effect. George W. cannot take all of the blame, however. President Bush only set up the dominoes; it was the American public started the chain reaction. After his first four years, voters saw what little follow through came after President Bush's promises, and chose to support him anyway despite the obvious web of deceit that had been wove. Never mind the fact that the 2004 election was stolen' that is an entirely different discussion in itself. Millions of Americans still voted for our fearful leader. This leads me to believe that as a country, we are ignorant to what qualities a strong leader possesses.

The 'It' Factors

In light of the mistakes of many, I have decided that it is imperative for me to outline for Americans what a leader looks like. The following are five key characteristics to what I believe are prevalent amongst strong leaders.

1. Charisma - Some have it, most do not; it's just that simple. While this may seem a little pretentious on my part, I believe it to be the truth. In the same way some people are able to throw 95 mph fastball with pinpoint accuracy, some are born with the innate ability inspire enthusiasm in others with just a wink of an eye and pure charm.

2. Wisdom - Pair charisma with a mean dose of accumulated knowledge, and you'll have a lethal combination. A leader's life experiences brought him to where he is today, so listen up. Be careful, though; know the difference between truth and smoke and mirrors.

3. Vision - A good leader must have a vision for the future. Effective leaders help others to understand the necessity of change and accept the common vision of what he seeks to accomplish.

4. Attitude - It would be impossible to fathom a human being remaining upbeat all of the time. What isn't impossible, however, is for a strong leader to remain positive in the public eye, no matter what the situation may be.

5. Judgment - The ability to look at a situation with a levelheaded approach while releasing your emotional attachments is more difficult than it sounds. Doing this, though, is essential for making sounds decisions. This becomes particularly essential for a strong leader when he decides with whom to surround himself and associate.

The Last Piece of the Puzzle

In order to become successful in any sense of the word, one must be born with a specific set of skills that pertain to a specific task. This alone, however, will not create achievement. Along with these innate characteristics, a strong leader must be born into and raised in an environment that breeds success. Within that environment, the 'born leader' must establish a work ethic that would make even Vince Lombardi proud. Without it, the world's next great leader will likely become another story of potential that will never be attained, resulting in another four years of disappointment.