So I have a wide variety of friends/acquaintances whose

livelihood depends on the political system. It's the nature of the beast here in DC. They line up on both sides of the aisle and in between. We get together in a variety of combinations from time to time and politics is generally off the table though not always. It has been this way for decades.

I was out this weekend with some and one of the Democrats was saying how we needed more dialogue to occur as this President is running unchecked with all these EOs and policy demands that don't appear to be popular. I asked when did leadership have to be popular? I also noted that several years ago another friend had made almost the exact statement and was dismissed as disliking the President on racial grounds, which essentially shut down any attempt at dialogue. (those that did that later apologized as they know he is not racially motivated in the least)

His point was that in order to lead a country the leader needed to be liked and that his leadership would be more readily accepted if he was. Several of us called BS on this. He was asked if he thought Obama was a good leader, he said yes. He was then asked him if he thought Obama was universally liked? Well no.

So while I found his demand for more dialogue particularly humorous given the numerous dismissals by the left regarding that in the past, I do agree with him in principle. There should be more dialogue in general. But not because it is Trump, but because this is a Republic whose people should know what is going on no matter who is in office.

But that brings me to a different point. Do you think the President (or any leader) has to be liked? I am not talking about respect. Do you think a leader has to be liked or affable?