elan - ay-LAN - self-confident vigor, style, energy, enthusiasm
Example: "Rome's Bertusconi, despite stories of his womanizing, misuse of political power & other shady doings still carries himself with great elan in public."
As a starter: and as a former teacher in English, I hope to add to reader's vocabulary by presenting a word a day in simple terms that anyone can understand - from current use in publications, radio,TV, etc. Remember: use a new word three times in a day and it's yours forever!