"In this case the attribution to Henry Louis Mencken, a prominent newspaperman and political commentator during the first half of the 20th century, is accurate. ["Moron This Story" -Snopes] Writing for the Baltimore Evening Sun on 26 July 1920, in an article entitled "Bayard vs. Lionheart" (and reprinted in the book On Politics: A Carnival of Buncombe), Mencken cynically opined on the difficulties of good men reaching national office when the scale of their campaigns precluded them from directly reaching out to large segments of the voting public:"
"The larger the mob, the harder the test. In small areas, before small electorates, a first-rate man occasionally fights his way through, carrying even the mob with him by force of his personality. But when the field is nationwide, and the fight must be waged chiefly at second and third hand, and the force of personality cannot so readily make itself felt, then all the odds are on the man who is, intrinsically, the most devious and mediocre — the man who can most easily adeptly disperse the notion that his mind is a virtual vacuum.
The Presidency tends, year by year, to go to such men. As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
-H.L. Mencken (Born 1880 - Died 1956) was a journalist, satirist, critic and registered Democrat.
Originally posted by Grampy Bobby [b]Quotes on Politics and World Affairs
"In this case the attribution to Henry Louis Mencken, a prominent newspaperman and political commentator during the first half of the 20th century, is accurate. ["Moron This Story" -Snopes] Writing for the Baltimore Evening Sun on 26 July 1920, in an article entitled "Bayard vs. Lionheart" (and repri ...[text shortened]... contribute your quotes on politics and world affairs worthy of discussion and debate? Thank you.[/b]
One of my favority quotes comes from such a man.
Al Gore once said this when questioned about controversial campaign donations.
"We did nothing wrong, and we will never do it again."
Originally posted by Grampy Bobby [b]Quotes on Politics and World Affairs
"In this case the attribution to Henry Louis Mencken, a prominent newspaperman and political commentator during the first half of the 20th century, is accurate. ["Moron This Story" -Snopes] Writing for the Baltimore Evening Sun on 26 July 1920, in an article entitled "Bayard vs. Lionheart" (and repri ...[text shortened]... contribute your quotes on politics and world affairs worthy of discussion and debate? Thank you.[/b]
It's impossible to answer the question until one defines "first-rate man" and "mediocre." First rate or mediocre at what? Intelligence? Charisma? Moral clarity? What criteria are important and ones that leaders tend to be bad at? Clinton was shrewd and flexible, but lacked moral clarity. Bush had the courage of his convictions but lacked wisdom. Obama has charisma and intelligence but lacks purpose and the ability clearly mark and seek solutions for his visions. Paul Ryan, for example, is exceptionally intelligent, but lacks charisma.
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses but without a clearer definition as to the criteria to which the quote is referring, it is meaningless.
Originally posted by sh76 It's impossible to answer the question until one defines "first-rate man" and "mediocre." First rate or mediocre at what? Intelligence? Charisma? Moral clarity? What criteria are important and ones that leaders tend to be bad at? Clinton was shrewd and flexible, but lacked moral clarity. Bush had the courage of his convictions but lacked wisdom. Obama has chari ...[text shortened]... hout a clearer definition as to the criteria to which the quote is referring, it is meaningless.
What do you consider a hallmark of Paul Ryan's intelligence?
Originally posted by KazetNagorra What do you consider a hallmark of Paul Ryan's intelligence?
The way he speaks, the grasp he has on budgetary and economic policy, his proficiency at producing proposals and generating ideas, the way in which he can conduct interviews and his ability answer hardball questions quickly and from memory without resorting to talking points, etc.
Obviously the wisdom of his ideas (or lack thereof, at times), bears little relationship to intelligence.
Originally posted by sh76 The way he speaks, the grasp he has on budgetary and economic policy, his proficiency at producing proposals and generating ideas, the way in which he can conduct interviews and his ability answer hardball questions quickly and from memory without resorting to talking points, etc.
Obviously the wisdom of his ideas (or lack thereof, at times), bears little relationship to intelligence.
Paul Ryan is a Randian libertarian, so a "lack of wisdom" is a bit of an understatement. I suppose it depends on how much you value critical thinking skills and an ability to absorb knowledge as aspects of intelligence.
Originally posted by sh76 It's impossible to answer the question until one defines "first-rate man" and "mediocre." First rate or mediocre at what? Intelligence? Charisma? Moral clarity? What criteria are important and ones that leaders tend to be bad at? Clinton was shrewd and flexible, but lacked moral clarity. Bush had the courage of his convictions but lacked wisdom. Obama has chari ...[text shortened]... hout a clearer definition as to the criteria to which the quote is referring, it is meaningless.
Which is a prime example as to why the President, or any man, should have too much power.
Originally posted by KazetNagorra Paul Ryan is a Randian libertarian, so a "lack of wisdom" is a bit of an understatement. I suppose it depends on how much you value critical thinking skills and an ability to absorb knowledge as aspects of intelligence.
Instead, we should trust the wisdom of a president that gives arms and money to Syrian rebels so that they can fight ISIS for us?
Originally posted by KazetNagorra What a pity the constitution gives so much power to the President, eh?
The Constitution didn't. It gave him no Executive Orders and it did not create an entire 4rth branch of government with an army of nonelected regulators that are akin to lawmakers. Nor does it give him the right to ignore laws, laws he himself passes.
Originally posted by KazetNagorra Paul Ryan is a Randian libertarian, so a "lack of wisdom" is a bit of an understatement. I suppose it depends on how much you value critical thinking skills and an ability to absorb knowledge as aspects of intelligence.
Impugning the intelligence of people for nothing more than holding political or philosophical ideas that differ from one's own is a very dangerous game.
Originally posted by sh76 Impugning the intelligence of people for nothing more than holding political or philosophical ideas that differ from one's own is a very dangerous game.
Although not quite as dangerous as taking bizarre ideas seriously. Reasonable disagreement is one thing, but lending credence to loopy BS gives people the mistaken impression that these ideas have merit.