How has Obama survived without a scandal for this long? He is not really this saintly, is he? (QUORA Question)

QUORA Question: How has Obama survived without a scandal for this long? He is not really this saintly, is he?

RNK Answer: By staying true to his North Star. By staying focused on his duties and responsibilities. By being committed to being a excellent role model. By being committed to being an exemplary parent & spouse. By placing reason, equanimity, and responsibility on a higher pedestal than passion. By placing wise outcomes on a higher pedestal than political gamesmanship. By living his life with discipline and impulse control. By having the discipline to contribute to better long term outcomes.  By selecting his battles rationally. By neither (impulsively) embracing nor shirking from fights. By not craving the satisfying purity of indignation.

What all is said and done, the Obama presidency story will probably be one of a ferocious intellectual prowess, tempered by a balanced and firm resolve, a calm mind, a service above self mindset, and grounded in fundamental human decency and dignity.

I believe history will eventually judge Barack Obama and his imperfect presidency in glowing terms and with fond memories.

And his leadership model, plus the way he harnessed the power of oratory will be studied for generations to com.

Epilogue: There is no reason why any of us cannot be guided by the same north star. There is no reason why any of us cannot commit to these enduring principles and best practices. GOOD LUCK!