ABSTRACT
Characteristics of ideal leaders had been described throughout history, even as early as Plato's analysis of philosopher–kings. The words a politician uses during a campaign could tell us a great deal about that person, including the leadership style we might expect him or her to utilize once in office. Transactional language, or a litany of required actions, reinforces the confidence in a better tomorrow and grows constituent confidence in the leader as the one who not only envisions a better tomorrow, but also knows the steps required to achieve that vision. The research indicates that as the campaign progressed Senator Clinton's language became more transformational and less transactional. Senator Obama's use of transformational language increased throughout the campaign, but not as much as Senator Clinton's. Senator Obama's use of transactional language remained rather flat throughout the campaign.
