Does it really matter if a leader is ethical?

It is completely necessary for a leader to by ethical. However; this idea is commonly overlooked when seeking a leader. We look for a leader who is influential, a leader who we can see allowing change to occur, and leader who get things done because he/she is strong minded and willed. Ethics is the single most important aspect of leadership that is ironically looked over.
No one wants to follow an unethical leader. Would you want to be part of an organization in which the group was represented by a leader who was recognized not for achievement, but for cheating and lying? Would you like to succeed by lying? Further more, would you blindly follow a leader who achieved success through these means? Hopefully, the answer to each of these questions in "NO." To lead a group of people, a leader must be able to set the example which he wants the group members to follow in. By lying, the group becomes counterproductive. When I think of the role of ethics in leadership, I think of several presidents who lost or almost lost their job on the account of ethical misjudgement. For example, when Bill Clinton had an affair, he showed that he was neither moral or ethical. Most Americans did not expect this because we overlooked this in the election. It came as a surprise and his dismissal was voted upon. Similarly, the Watergate problems caused a similar problem with a president, where he showed his true morals and ethics, and was kicked out of office. We, as Americans, decided that we did not want to be represented by a liar and cheater.