Like it or not, this truism is very true: Being president in the modern era requires a certain “It Factor.”
You don’t need star power to make it to the U.S. Senate, or to rise in its leadership. (Looking at you, Senators Reid and McConnell.) You don’t need an almost celebrity-like sexiness to succeed in the House. (Who among us would describe Steny Hoyer or Steve Scalise in such terms?) But when we’re talking about the presidency, it’s not enough these days to be a highly intelligent lawmaker with a history of policy expertise and success. You’ve got to have charisma. You’ve got to have charm. You’ve got to have, well, It.
via The elusive ‘It factor’ in presidential politics – The Week.
