What are the candidates’ real motives?

To the editor:

It's fun to speculate about the real motives of the presidential candidates. Not all must expect, or even want, to be president.

Bernie Sanders seems off on a single-minded mission to abolish inequality, while Martin O'Malley to be angling for vice president. Perhaps Dr. Ben Carson wants to sell more books; and Jeb Bush is running out of a sense of family obligation; Chris Christie must be kicking himself because he didn't run in 2012. Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee might be in it out of habit.

I think Donald Trump entered the field to satisfy his ego. As a classic narcissist, his every move seems designed to call attention to himself.

The Mayo Clinic describes narcissistic personality disorder as follows: 'You may come across as conceited, boastful or pretentious. You often monopolize conversations. You may belittle or look down on people you perceive as inferior. You may feel a sense of entitlement ... You may insist on having 'the best” of everything - for instance, the best car, athletic club or medical care.

'At the same time, you have trouble handling anything that may be perceived as criticism. You may have secret feelings of insecurity, shame, vulnerability and humiliation. To feel better, you may react with rage or contempt and try to belittle the other person to make yourself appear superior.”

I'm not sure these are the qualities needed in a president.

Hal Dendurent

Mount Vernon