Presidential Qualities: Which Ones Are Most Important?

America's first president, George Washington, was born on Feb. 22, 1732. On his birthday in 1796, when he was in his last full year as president, the day became the holiday known as Washington's Birthday. However, Americans didn't observe this holiday until a century after his birth.

Washington's Birthday now is a U.S. federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February. It was implemented by an Act of Congress in 1880 for government offices in the District of Columbia; it was expanded in 1885 to include all federal offices.

As the first federal holiday to honor an American citizen, the holiday was celebrated on Washington's actual birthday, Feb. 22. On Jan. 1, 1971, the federal holiday was shifted to the third Monday in February by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This date places it between Feb. 15 and 21, which means it never now lands on Washington's actual birthday, Feb. 22.

Historians note that Americans in the time of George Washington wanted to give him the title of "King," but he refused.

Given the variety of personalities of the 44 U.S. presidents through the years, what one quality, or attribute, would you say is most important to ruling America?

Is it self-confidence, honesty, decisiveness or courage? Or would you select attributes such as integrity, negotiation skills, empathy and leadership? What role does charisma play? Share your observations in the comments section of this article.