Integrity

I'm currently reading a book about the Taft presidency. In explaining why Teddy Roosevelt admired Taft and chose to support him as his successor, the author mentions often Taft's integrity. As you may know, Taft later became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, which is what he has always wished to be. He was a man who loved law.

Roosevelt and others soon become disenchanted with Taft's integrity because it keeps him from playing the political games. I'm only on page 80 of a 306 page book, so maybe I'll have a clearer picture later of the author's opinion, but I found the following statements sad and astonishing.

It was clear the President would not compromise his private morals for the sake of his administration...Taft's stubborn integrity interfered with his duty as a democratic leader to save his administration and programs.

Stubborn integrity interferring with duty?

The author quotes Taft as saying: "Life is not worth living and office is not worth having if, for the purpose of acquiring the popular support, we have to either do a cruel injustice or acquiesce in it." But apparently this isn't an admirable thought because the author follows it with his statement about Taft's stubborn integrity.

Why can't a man have integrity and be a good President?

Proverbs 20: 7. The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.