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That's a fundamental problem with modern democracy - it doesn't optimize for talent, it optimizes for charisma.

• arethuza 13y ago
  Consider Clement Attlee, possibly the most influential PM of the 20th century (yes, even more so than Churchill or Thatcher) was fabulously uncharismatic being described by Thatcher as "all substance and no show": http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1194059/A-giant-man-Clem-Attlee-stood-decency-duty--stark-contrast-todays-MPs.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1194059/A-giant-ma...
  • yen223 13y ago
    "...when an interviewer asked if he had any thoughts about the coming general election, replied simply: 'No.'" I need to have a beer with this guy.
    • arethuza 13y ago
      I can recommend "Live from Downing Street" by Nick Robinson - it contrasts the media styles of all of the PMs (at least since there has been a "media" reporting on Parliament): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Live-Downing-Street-Nick-Robinson/dp/0857500007 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Live-Downing-Street-Nick-Robinson/dp... Personally, I think this country is long overdue a Attlee, Bevan or even a Thatcher - leaders who actually believed in something.
  • zbyszek 13y ago
    The famous jibe is along the lines of "An empty taxi drew up outside 10 Downing Street and Clement Attlee got out", attributed to Winston Churchill, but I think he denied it.
    • gaius 13y ago
      Churchill described Atlee as a modest man with much to be modest about.