...track record.  

Even a liberal rag like the LA Times can't ignore, omit, or hide his failed policies and how they affected South Bend, Indiana while he was mayor for the last 8 years.  Of course they desperately attempt to whitewash his failures by crediting him with successes on which a mayor has absolutely no impact.

If you plan on making your choice based on the attributes you listed, I would suggest you deserve the government you get: A political party full of petty, petulant, corrupt, career politicians who'll make every effort to thwart the American Citizen in order to gain political favor with those who are not American Citizens.