This is wonderful...
The office of President does not bestow ANYTHING upon the office holder, other than power.
- It doesn't bestow greatness
- It doesn't mean that that person has any more right to respect than the next person
- It doesn't mean that the post-holder is always right
- It doesn't mean the post-holder is clever
- It doesn't mean the post-holder is honest
- It doesn't mean the post-holder has an agenda other than that they espouse
Republicans often show a naive belief that the shrubbery is great, worthy of respect, wise. clever, honest and open. N ot all, by any streach, but a lot of the more, er, vocal ones.
These same beliefs were those held by people about their King or Queen; that because they were the ruler they were great, worthy of respect, wise, clever - even honest
It's very amusing that these primative beliefs in the qualities conferred upon someone by respect of a job are still held to by many Republicans... I mean, what sort of argument is 'be respectful to the President because he is the President?' He can earn it like the rest of us.
... of course, if it's a Democratic President, then suddenly what many (not all) Republicans would call 'unAmerican' become okay, and suddenly if becomes open season on the President, but hypocracy and politics are siblings...