Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders earn F grades in conservative values matrix

(Image credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

published 26 January 2016

A conservative PAC and arm of the Leadership Project for America has released an "issue matrix" to help undecided voters focus on choosing a leader who is able to govern. In its own words, "The Leadership Project for America's Leadership Matrix spells out ten characteristics of what makes a great leader, revealing relative strengths as well as critical shortcomings in character, effectiveness and a commitment to limited constitutional government." The matrix involves rankings of "American exceptionalism," "national security," "consistency," and "ethics," among other conservative values.

Donald Trump, who frequently trumpets about his ability to "win," scored an F grade overall in the report, with especially low marks in ethics, viability, and principles. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders also earned F grades using the conservative criteria, although Sanders still managed to earn the highest possible scores in ethics and principles.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.

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