tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post8125067701321265486..comments2024-03-28T00:11:33.489-04:00Comments on bensozia: In Washington, Rule by Unlikable JerksJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037215533094998996noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post-59927168328093355502013-01-03T21:46:45.970-05:002013-01-03T21:46:45.970-05:00How many of our presidents have been genuinely cha...How many of our presidents have been genuinely charismatic? In the last century, other than Clinton and Reagan, I can think of only JFK and the two Roosevelts. Perhaps most charismatic types prefer to become entertainers, business leaders, or preachers. And I'm tempted to say that only FDR, LBJ, and maybe Nixon count as truly dynamic, titanesque leaders (regardless of what one thinks of their agendas or legacies). Perhaps political power carries too much responsibility with it to be attractive to most of those who have elsewhere to go. In any case, all this is fodder for the question you raise so often, of what sort of person becomes president, or wants to.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08993570411881726772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post-31250365556792686122013-01-03T20:31:20.436-05:002013-01-03T20:31:20.436-05:00I don't have any personal anecdotes about Boeh...I don't have any personal anecdotes about Boehner, but he doesn't come across as likable and he certainly commands little personal loyalty in the House. They would throw him over in a minute if there were an alternative. He and Obama seem to despise each other.<br /><br />The presence of so many people with very little charisma at the top of our politics is fascinating to me. Of the top leaders of our time, only Reagan and Clinton have had the whole range of political skills.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01037215533094998996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post-91972642283813872892013-01-03T13:15:26.684-05:002013-01-03T13:15:26.684-05:00You're right--and yet Biden seems like someone...You're right--and yet Biden seems like someone everyone likes, partly because he seems sort of goofy.<br /><br />What do you hear about Boehner? I have trouble forming an opinion about him, perhaps because he looks like a villain from 24, or X-Files, or some such ("You're out of your jurisdiction, young lady!!").Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08993570411881726772noreply@blogger.com