The New Republic

We need solutions badly but suspending the gas tax isn't a viable solution to anything. Rather, it is an opportunity for Hillary and Mac to demagogue.

- liberal reformer

May 13, 2008 at 10:57am

Leadership is saying that you are a leader.  Into a microphone.  With hundreds of bored onlookers surrounding a wildly enthusiastic, hand-picked racially diverse (or in some cases, not so diverse) group of about a dozen supporters and paid staffers who fill the camera angle.

- stgla

May 13, 2008 at 11:01am

The phrase "lead on behalf" actually means "follow." It is, therefore, the worst sort of Orwellian lie. When you're a leader, you should try to lead people, not merely follow them and implement their wishes. It's fine to be a politician who is not a leader; most politicians are followers, and there's nothing wrong with seeing oneself as a servant of one's constituents' wishes. But that is an important difference between a legislative seat and the presidency: The presidency requires a leader, not a follower. No one has ever said of a president, "He proved his greatness by giving the people what they wanted."

- rhubarbs

May 13, 2008 at 11:55am

Chait, are you capable of writing anything pro-Obama rather than anti-Hillary?  And doesn't honesty demand that if you're going to raise McCain, you might note that this week he backed what is a vital part of any real solution to the energy crisis: a major expansion of nuclear power?  Why don't you try being a leader and write honestly about the nation's energy crisis and the failings of all three candidates' proposals?  

Speaking of honesty, Ted Sorenson wrote the book in the picture.  

- Lymon1

May 13, 2008 at 12:32pm

"I happen to believe that when you're a leader, you should lead on behalf of the people you represent."

Truer words may never have been spoken by the politician whose popular base is formed by the over-65 and undereducated.

- GSpinks

May 13, 2008 at 3:08pm

Chait is a propagandist. If Obama shitted in his mouth publicly, he'd find it original.

- sleepyavl

May 13, 2008 at 6:02pm

GSpinks, Hillary has over 45% of the delegates. Even if she loses, is that what you say about those who voted her? Most of what you write here is garbage. It's typical of characters like you that you're also arrogant.

- sleepyavl

May 13, 2008 at 6:06pm