Should a Leader Defend the People even if they are not worthy?

The Ramchal in the Path of the Just teaches us to recognize the good is to want for the good of the Jewish people, even when the people around us may be annoying or irritating. Rav Kaplan takes us through many Jewish leaders of their generations that took ultimate responsibility and leadership for the good of the Jewish people, despite the fact that the people at the time may not have been worthy of reward. True leadership recognizes the good in people, rather than criticizing them. It is easier on some level to be critical, but that is no the ultimate level of leadership. On the contrary – a leader who shows empathy, responsibility and love through focusing on the positivity and the good in the people regardless of their current spiritual level – is a true leader according to Judaism.