Comments on: Hot air and the oil crisis http://www.mitchgann.com/blog/2008/07/hot-air-and-the-oil-crisis/ Boomer Blog Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:52:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Mitch http://www.mitchgann.com/blog/2008/07/hot-air-and-the-oil-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-70 Mitch Sat, 26 Jul 2008 04:32:46 +0000 http://www.mitchgann.com/blog/?p=104#comment-70 It's hard to believe Eisenhower ever worried about getting beat by Stevenson. By 1952, the Democrats had held the White House for 20 years. The country was bogged down in a nasty war. The Republicans could have won with anybody. About the only way the Dems could have held on to the presidency would have been if Ike had run on their side. Even then, it would have been close. It is true that we don't elect many intellectuals or academics to high office. I've known a few, and it may be just as well. It’s hard to believe Eisenhower ever worried about getting beat by Stevenson. By 1952, the Democrats had held the White House for 20 years. The country was bogged down in a nasty war. The Republicans could have won with anybody. About the only way the Dems could have held on to the presidency would have been if Ike had run on their side. Even then, it would have been close.

It is true that we don’t elect many intellectuals or academics to high office. I’ve known a few, and it may be just as well.

]]> By: Macy Swain http://www.mitchgann.com/blog/2008/07/hot-air-and-the-oil-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-69 Macy Swain Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:45:19 +0000 http://www.mitchgann.com/blog/?p=104#comment-69 Could we paraphrase something like, "you can lead a pol to office, but you can't make him think?" I just heard an anecdote somewhere about Eisenhower worrying about the political threat of Adlai Stevenson. One of his advisors said something like, "Don't worry -- he's too articulate to get elected." Not to be post hoc about it, but indeed he didn't get elected. I don't think much has changed regarding the American distaste for "thinkers" in high office. Fine and reasonable outrage here, Mitch. Thanks. Could we paraphrase something like, “you can lead a pol to office, but you can’t make him think?”

I just heard an anecdote somewhere about Eisenhower worrying about the political threat of Adlai Stevenson. One of his advisors said something like, “Don’t worry — he’s too articulate to get elected.” Not to be post hoc about it, but indeed he didn’t get elected.

I don’t think much has changed regarding the American distaste for “thinkers” in high office.

Fine and reasonable outrage here, Mitch. Thanks.

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