People of integrity

What did Moses tell the twelve spies to do? “Check out the land – and find out if there are any trees” (Num. 13:20). Trees? How do trees connect with the strength of a land?
Rashi recognises the problem and, quoting earlier sources as usual (BB 15a), says that trees are symbolic of human beings. Moses’ question was not really about the vegetation but a deeper issue: in Rashi’s words, “Whether there is amongst the inhabitants an honourable man who will protect them by his merit like a tree protects people by its shade”.
What gives a country its quality is not its trees and flowers – not that these are not important assets – but its citizens. If a country has high-minded people, thinkers, visionaries, men and women of faith and conscience who guard the ethos and ethics of the nation, the people are safe.
Tragically it must be said that our present generation is sadly lacking in “trees”. We have plenty of mediocrities, some of them even impressive administrators, shrewd negotiators and political manipulators, some of them great masters of oratory and rhetoric, but all too few people of integrity, faith and wisdom, able to inspire great dreams and enable great deeds. The sages say that when there is a tzaddik in the city, “he is its glory, he is its splendour, he is its crown” (Rashi on Gen. 28:10).
by Rabbi Dr. Raymond Apple at http://www.oztorah.com/2011/06/are-there-any-trees-shlach-lcha/

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz was asked today why Anthony Weiner should resign but Bill Clinton didn't have to. Click here for her answer.
I prefer the answer given by someone who posted a comment.

Of course it's expediency. And equating Weiner's situation with Clinton's is absurd, but not unexpected, given who asked the question. The resignation of a member of the House of Representatives vs. the resignation of the President? I just wish politicians and reporters would just acknowledge that much of what they do is guided by sheer political expediency, and not something more profound.

In an article about legalizing same-sex marriage in New York, the following sentence caught my attention.
Each side is funded by more than $1 million from national and state advocates that's being used in media blitzes and in promised campaign cash for lawmakers who side with them.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110614/ap_on_re_us/us_gay_marriage_ny_2

My question - Are there any "trees" among our political leaders?