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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Mary Cluney who wrote (136712)	6/15/2004 12:02:07 PM
From: carranza2	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

I think you might be confusing mental horsepower with political talent. They don't necessarily go together. The art of building consensus, judging others' needs in order to forge compromises, and being able to connect in a manner that doesn't turn people off are skills that we cannot yet measure objectively. There is no Political IQ test. If we ever can, I think you'll find that Reagan and others' PIQ were very high. Presidents cannot be expected to know every detail of the issues they face. They are too variegated and complex. Instead, their skill in this regard is essentially an administrative one--find and hire the best experts in the relevant fields and listen to them, using the various political filters to reject things which are simply not doable. Don't forget that in many respects a President's function is one of communication and inspiration. Carter was a terrible President, despite a very high IQ, because he failed to inspire and communicate his vision. Plus, we are getting increasingly mediocre Presidents because the job is getting incredibly difficult to do. A truly wise person with high PIQ and IQ might very well say--"Who needs this? I think I'll stay in the Senate."

To: Mary Cluney who wrote (136712)	6/15/2004 1:03:25 PM
From: KLP	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

it looks like the quality has gone down considerably. There is some truth to that Mary. BUT when you really consider what is going on today, one has to ask themselves....Just who is not only: compentent, smart, has high IQ, didn't goof off in college too much, was in the Military, or a danged good reason why not, politically savy to get there in the first place, is likeable to the populace, personable, able to interface well with foreign leaders, speaks well in public, is without a problem in his/her background, is drug and alcohol free, has a wife who has all of the above as well, has no family members who have problems that will embarass him/her, PLUS already have a high enough income to deal with the demands of the job, as well as their families needs, so they can cope with the pittance we pay them for this job. ETC.... PLUS has the fortitude and stamina to put up with all the BS that is dished out not only from the media, but the Congress, and the American people as well. Really, it's a wonder that we have had the caliber of people we have had to date.