Obama rose like a rocket in one of the most corrupt parts of a pretty corrupt / plutocratic system. Did he do this as he was such a nice, honest person who would clean house? No. He made deals and traded influence with the best of them, but is bright enough to manage to get away clean.

In a leader I want one who is a devious bastard and is good at what he does - as that's who he's going to meet on the world stage and also in his own country. I don't want a Neville Chamberlin who is open and honest, but a complete berk. Of course the hope is that these "skills" are used for the benefit of the country and not to its detriment.