15 July 2008
Opinion Leaders Don't Usually Win Elections
On 15 July 2008, Ariana Huffington complimented the Reverend Martin Luther King for his unwillingness to compromise principles: "There comes a time when one must take the position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must do it because conscience tells him it is right."That quote sums up why Martin Luther King would never have been elected President. We need opinion leaders to inspire us to change our views and behavior; we need political leaders effectively to carry out the will of the people. I believe it is the will of the people to hear opinion leaders like Dr. King, General DeGaulle, Senator Hagel, yes, and Ariana Huffington--not necessarily to follow them. Sensitivity to the pace of change in the will of the people is a defining attribute of successful political leadership. So Ariana should keep holding Senator Obama's feet to the fire; but we can't expect him to win in November unless he also listens to contrary points of view and nurtures the transformation of conventional wisdom that most of us hope is coming.
On 15 July 2008, Ariana Huffington complimented the Reverend Martin Luther King for his unwillingness to compromise principles: "There comes a time when one must take the position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must do it because conscience tells him it is right."That quote sums up why Martin Luther King would never have been elected President. We need opinion leaders to inspire us to change our views and behavior; we need political leaders effectively to carry out the will of the people. I believe it is the will of the people to hear opinion leaders like Dr. King, General DeGaulle, Senator Hagel, yes, and Ariana Huffington--not necessarily to follow them. Sensitivity to the pace of change in the will of the people is a defining attribute of successful political leadership. So Ariana should keep holding Senator Obama's feet to the fire; but we can't expect him to win in November unless he also listens to contrary points of view and nurtures the transformation of conventional wisdom that most of us hope is coming.
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