How would Gore govern? Meticulously

Previously, Gore could bask in the image, as one reporter put it, of "an All-American boy" with a record so squeaky clean and a reputation for decency "so impressive you'd think he was born with his pants on."

Gore appeared increasingly beset by scandal in fall 1997 as television news programs broadcast embarrassing images of Buddhist nuns testifying before a Senate committee that they were reimbursed for checks made out to the Democratic National Committee following an ostensible vice-presidential fundraiser at their Hsi Lai temple on April 29, 1996.

They are staunch defenders of rules and standards, and are generally responsible, reliable, proper, prudent, self-disciplined, and restrained.

In the words of personality expert Theodore Millon, they "are meticulous in fulfilling obligations, their conduct is generally beyond reproach, and they typically demonstrate an uncommon degree of integrity."

Dutiful and diligent

Highly conscientious, dutiful, moralistic personalities such as Gore are their own worst enemies, prone to nitpick themselves for failing to live up to their self-imposed exacting standards and lofty ideals.

Ironically, despite their foremost status among personality types with respect to diligence and dependability, more than any other personality type they dread being viewed as irresponsible, slack in their efforts, or in error, with a corresponding tendency to overvalue aspects of themselves that signify perfectionism, discipline, and prudence.

Introverted candidates are not cut from this cloth. They seem socially awkward and aloof, like a Richard Nixon, disengaged and pessimistic under pressure, like a Jimmy Carter, or politically inept in the limelight, like a Michael Dukakis. They are anything but warm or engaging, and their public reserve is perceived as social indifference and a lack of empathy, which tends to elicit a reciprocal reaction in voters.

So, what are the presidential prospects for Al Gore? To begin with, his personal style does not bode well at the ballot box. Gore biggest challenge will be to energize an increasingly apathetic voting public: a task for which introverts are ill equipped.

But assuming he can clear this hurdle, Gore offers some key character-based skills critical for competent executive leadership. His diligence, attention to detail, and ability to focus will stand him in good stead with respect to policy formulation and the mechanics of setting in motion the levers of administrative, constitutional, and institutional structures.

Unfortunately, these very attributes serve as an impediment to forging the instrumental relationships crucial for institutionalizing his initiatives in a bipartisan arena.

A 'deliberative' style

Gore's conscientious nature dictates that the essence of his presidential leadership will be what political psychologist Dean Keith Simonton calls a "deliberative" style.

Deliberative leaders keep themselves thoroughly informed, exhibit depth of comprehension, and understand the implications of their decisions. They are cautious, not inclined to force premature decisions, able to weigh the long-term consequences of their policy judgments, know their limitations, and do not place political success over effective policy.

But these leadership strengths are offset by Gore's aloofness, which will render a Gore presidency distinctly uncharismatic. Simonton's schema predicts that a President Gore will be awkward in public and not closely in touch with the mood of the people, fail to use rhetoric effectively, and fall short as a skilled, self-confident negotiator.

Ultimately, the combination of introversion and conscientiousness could make him vulnerable to health problems paralleling difficult, critical periods in office.

Political scientist Lloyd Etheredge has pinpointed precise links between personality and foreign policy orientation, making it possible to foreshadow Gore's likely operating style and role preference in foreign affairs.

Gore's profile positions him as a "high-dominance introvert" in Etheredge's typology of personality-based foreign policy role orientations.

High-dominance introverts are quite willing to use military force, tending to view the world in terms of a struggle between "the moral values they think it ought to exhibit and the forces opposed to this vision."

These leaders are relatively preoccupied with themes of exclusion, most notably "the establishment of institutions or principles to keep potentially disruptive forces in check." Moreover, they are typically stubborn and tenacious, seeking "to reshape the world in accordance with their personal vision."

Their foreign policies are often characterized by the tenacity "with which they advance one central idea." In this regard, it is noteworthy that in the first 12 pages of Chapter 14 in his book "Earth in the Balance," Gore makes 24 references to "central organizing principle," "central principle," "organizing principle" and "all-out-effort," with additional references to "single shared goal," "single overarching goal," and "overriding objective."

'Expansionist' orientation

Political psychologist Margaret Hermann offers additional insight into the likely direction of a Gore administration. Gore's profile is compatible with Hermann's description of the "expansionist" foreign policy role orientation.

These leaders have a view of the world as being "divided into 'us' and 'them,' " based on a belief system in which conflict is viewed as inherent in the international system." They are "not averse to using the 'enemy' as a scapegoat" and their rhetoric often is "hostile in tone."

In this regard, the following observation by Gore biographer Bob Zelnick seems pertinent: "Gore [while serving in Congress] ... had a mind that could run in stubborn ideological channels, sometimes impeding the results of his work. He was most motivated when he could play the 'white knight,' galloping to the rescue of those victimized by an evil industry or a disdainful bureaucrat, and his solutions were often punitive."

In short, the major personality-based leadership strengths that Gore will bring to the presidency are his conscientiousness, his detail-oriented ability to stay focused and to craft specific policies, and his low susceptibility to ethical misconduct.

His major personality-based limitations are a deficit of the politically pivotal skill of easily connecting with people and a self-defeating potential for dogmatically pursuing personal policy preferences despite legislative or public disapproval.