10% U.S. Flat Tax Accross the Board!

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by bhunter

When was there an intellectual candidate for president? Offhand I can't think of any. I don't think that they exist. The intellectual types I know all are clearly lacking in the charisma department. The few that have a modicum of charisma do not find politics of sufficient interest to hold their focus.

Obama may be as close to one as we've had and he seems to be suffering from the affliction I bolded above.

[bhunter]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Obama may be as close to one as we've had and he seems to be suffering from the affliction I bolded above.

Sorry Finn, but an intellectual needs a body of work that can be read and analyze. Obama doesn't have that. If you know of any of his academic or other cerebral papers dealing with analysis and new ideas or concepts let me know. I have not been able to find any. I'll admit, he does have the facade of an intellectual albeit not quite as good as Senator Schumer.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by bhunter

Sorry Finn, but an intellectual needs a body of work that can be read and analyze. Obama doesn't have that. If you know of any of his academic or other cerebral papers dealing with analysis and new ideas or concepts let me know. I have not been able to find any. I'll admit, he does have the facade of an intellectual albeit not quite as good as Senator Schumer.

Point taken. But his intellectual, pondering aloofness seems to be his downfall. I suppose the last true intellectual I can think of in public service was Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

Depending on how one defines intellectual, Bubba (Clinton) may have qualified. His aw-shucks demeanor (and open zipper) hid a pretty bright mind.

[bhunter]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Point taken. But his intellectual, pondering aloofness seems to be his downfall. I suppose the last true intellectual I can think of in public service was Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

I once read a book of his. I was indeed pleasantly surprised. I went and looked for it, but evidently it got lost in a move.

Depending on how one defines intellectual, Bubba (Clinton) may have qualified. His aw-shucks demeanor (and open zipper) hid a pretty bright mind.

I would agree with that regarding Clinton. I'm not sure how sharp he is outside of the social sciences. For me, an intellectual needs to at least have a grounding in basic science along with being well read. I know quite a number of people that qualify, but they usually lack mechanical skill or have the charisma of a rock. I like visionaries that can see beyond the present and have a knack for making that vision happen. Steve Jobs is an example of someone that has this visionary skill, although, his dictatorial style is a problem.