Writers of DU, have I got an idea for you!

[raccoon]

An American President as a tragic hero...

An Aristotelian tragic hero must possess specific characteristics, five of which are below: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragic_hero)

1. Nobility (of a noble birth) or wisdom (by virtue of birth).

This man was born to a wealthy family, already involved in politics.

2. ...a TRAGIC FLAW.

ARROGANCE is his tragic flaw, and he has that to spare.

3. A reversal of fortune (peripeteia) brought about because of the hero's tragic flaw.

His regime starts off lamely, but due to an attack on his country, many of his subjects rally to support (in words, anyway) anything he does. A foolish, illegal war which drags on and on with no victory leads to his downfall.

4. The discovery or recognition that the reversal was brought about by the hero's own actions...

He realizes the war was a mistake, but he would never admit it.

5. The audience must feel dramatic irony for the character.

In this form of irony, the words and actions of the characters belie the real situation, which the spectators fully realize.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dramatic_irony#Tragic_irony_.28dramatic_irony.29 )

Oh, boy, there’s more than enough of that…