OPINION:
Intelligence is overrated in politics. Far more important is the ability to comprehend the world and a knowledge of one’s country - its principles, its history and its mistakes. As important is the ability to empathize with one’s countrymen, to voice their hopes and fashion policies to further the collective dreams.
President Obama is intelligent in a teleprompted manner, which endows him with a fashionable slickness but leaves many with a desire for a teleprompter scrambler. No matter how hard he tries, Mr. Obama cannot escape the notion that there is something false about him. He is slavishly devoted to Euro-style dependency that is self-destructing before our eyes, and yet seems unable to learn from what is happening today in Europe. That is not intelligent, no matter how one measures intelligence.
Sarah Palin also can be hard on the ears with much of what she says. Her appeal to angry populists seems genuine and she has the instincts to maximize their support, but I don’t think she is ready for the larger electorate - those voters who prefer nuance and consider her to be unprepared for prime time. If Mrs. Palin harbors a desire for the bright lights of Western world leadership, I recommend more time studying issues instead of politicking. If that means less time throwing red meat to the populist chorus, so be it. Trading huzzahs from the converted for an honest assessment from the doubtful will be time well spent.
PAUL BLOUSTEIN
Cincinnati, Ohio
Please read our comment policy before commenting.