Nelson Mandela

[noonereal]

Nelson Mandela felt he was elected to lead so when the his supports rallied for things that he felt were detrimental to them he felt compelled to tell them they were wrong. In other words he refused to follow the populous desires (the polls) and governed as a leader.

My question is, is thee any politician that exhibits this philosophy regularly in American politics today?

[finnbow]

I think the only ones who dare do so are either a rock-solid cinch for reelection or those who about to quit out of disgust or fatigue (e.g., John Warner, Sam Nunn, Alan Simpson). All others know that the public cannot handle the unvarnished truth. It's often said that the biggest mistake made in Washington is getting caught telling the truth.

What he said.

[Charles]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Paul

You may not agree with him, but he has a history of being the turd in the punchbowl.

Chas

[whell]

Originally Posted by charles

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ron_paul

you may not agree with him, but he has a history of being the turd in the punchbowl.

Chas

+1

qft

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Charles

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Paul

You may not agree with him, but he has a history of being the turd in the punchbowl.

Chas

However, for better or worse, he's now considered more of a political gadfly than a politician. His habit of telling the truth (as he sees it) makes him so unusual as to be considered a flake.

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by Pukka Sahib

A politician must toe the party line. He must stand firmly on the party platform, and proclaim party agenda his creed. Still, one’s party may not always have direction, and a good politician, like a good navigator, must know which way the wind blows, and never steer a course against the mainstream. In the tempests of politics, a wise politician finds a snug harbor in the bosom of the party, or somewhere safe along the line.

so he should be a politician first and a leader second. ok, i don't know how healthy that is for the country however

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by Charles

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Paul

You may not agree with him, but he has a history of being the turd in the punchbowl.

Chas

The good doctor should have stuck to delivering babies insted of blindly following Nolan.

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by noonereal

so he should be a politician first and a leader second. ok, i don't know how healthy that is for the country however

Since when has anyone in politics considered the country's welfare?

I think it was during the primaries that they broadcast one of the DNC meetings, Dear God, no wonder the definition of gross ignorance is 144 politicians.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Pukka Sahib

In the tempests of politics, a wise politician finds a snug harbor in the bosom of the party...

Was that inside a fortune cookie, grasshopper?

[Charles]

Talk about a tough crowd!!!

I suppose if I wanted any applause here I should have held Bernie Sanders forth as a politician who pursues the common good as opposed to the political expedient.

Now take my wife...please!!!

Chas