Should The President Be An Intellectual?

the makeout hobo · 10-06-08, 01:52 PM

A simple question: How important do you think it is that the president is an intellectual? More importantly, why? I am asking, however, that people do not bring in Obama, Biden, Palin, or McCain, since they have a habit of taking over topics when they come up.

Cephus · 10-06-08, 02:08 PM

It's essential. I am so sick and tired of the whole anti-elitism nonsense that goes on in this country. If you need surgery, you go to the best doctor you can find, you don't just pick Joe Blow off the street corner and let them operate on you. If you go into court, you take the best lawyer you can find, you don't grab Aunt Flo's idiot brother-in-law to represent you. We need the best, smartest, best educated people we can find to represent us in the government, it's utterly ridiculous to want people who we wouldn't trust to unclog our toilets wielding that kind of political power.

jallman · 10-06-08, 02:44 PM

I think it is important that the president be intelligent but I don't think it is necessary for the president to be some great philosopher. I would rather see a pragmatist in office than an intellectual.

the makeout hobo · 10-06-08, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jallman

I think it is important that the president be intelligent but I don't think it is necessary for the president to be some great philosopher. I would rather see a pragmatist in office than an intellectual.

What do you define an intellectual as?

jallman · 10-06-08, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the makeout hobo

What do you define an intellectual as?

A person who is given to pursuits that abstractly engage their mental abilities.

GySgt · 10-06-08, 02:53 PM

Unfortunately, an "intellectual" usually can't see the world beyond his campus or his text book but assumes to know it. And a person bestowed of the title "intellectual" is usually afraid of making the tough decisions anyway. No...they are better suited criticizing those that do. What's the difference between having a worldy experienced man that lacks the ability to make sound decisions and a man who makes decisions, but lacks worldy experience?

The result is still an equal mess.

jallman · 10-06-08, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GySgt

Unfortunately, an "intellectual" usually can't see the world beyond his campus or his text book but assumes to know it. And a person bestowed of the title "intellectual" is usually afraid of making the tough decisions anyway. No...they are better suited criticizing those that do. What's the difference between having a worldy experienced man that lacks the ability to make sound decisions and a man who makes decisions, but lacks worldy experience?

The result is still an equal mess.

Ideally, I would see a pragmatist hold the office of president with a score of intellectuals as advisors.

Frolicking Dinosaurs · 10-06-08, 02:57 PM

I believe good presidents have to be intelligent and able to see the big picture, but not necessarily given to academic pursuits. Common sense and the ability to pick good advisers and listen to them is far more important IMO.

BmanMcfly · 10-06-08, 03:14 PM

I personally come from the school of thought that 'anyone able to get themselves elected to be president lacks the skill to do the job well.'...

That said, GWBush is not the smartest guy out there, which I didn't initially hold against him... since even the dumbest around can still have something beneficial to offer. However, if a person is lacking in intelligence, he can at least surround himself by experts in the various fields to explain things.

So let's make a distinction between GW, and any other would be 'stupid' president. GW does not even read newspapers (he said it, I repeat it)... the fact is GW simply DOES NOT CARE (seemingly about anything but him, his family and his friends...) Whereas, other presidents that weren't the brightest were known to spend many hours of overtime in trying to 'catch up' in their understandings of it all... ESPECIALLY in times of war.

Hatuey · 10-06-08, 04:02 PM

I'm sick of the need for politicians to appeal to Joe Six Pack over Mike the NYU student. The world is a complicated place. One where being able to milk 8 cows in under 4 minutes does not necessarily mean you understand the conflicts in the Middle East or what is going on with the economy. Both of the big parties have waged a campaign against intellectuals in this country for 30 years. Trying to appeal to **** kickers and minorities and kicking to the side everyone with an education while hushing them up with tax cuts. It's disgusting. The way they have managed to stab in the back people who hold white collar positions is scary. Very scary. But I guess white collars deserve it for not standing up every time one of these compassionate conservatives or bleeding heart liberal tells Joe Everyman that the bad guy is the guy with a metal name tag.