What Kind of Leader Do We Need

Thoughts on David Brooks' Op-Ed:
http://tinyurl.com/3xblzf
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[ShermerIllinois]

While it's highly unlikely that you would ever seen his name on a ballot, I think Gen. Anthony Zinni(RET) would fit the bill. He's a practical visionary that can get things done and has the track record and experience that most suits our current geopolitical environment.

[tlg847]

I recall General Zinni as a practical man who spoke from a position of principle. Politics today excludes outsiders, which means people like Zinni are excluded from positions of national leadership outside the military. Business leaders are treated similarly, as are scientists or educators. Thanks for your thoughts.

[kenrg]

The type of leader Brooks is recommending is not likely to come from our political process. He's saying we need a Prime Minister; one who rises above the ranks of the legislature to lead and organize them. Our process demands that the candidate stand alone and apart from the rest, and [at least attempt to] be more visionary. He may be right, but it's not likely to happen.

[tlg847]

The parliamentary analogy is interesting, Ken. With no intent to do anything other than throw a name out there (not at all a statement of preference), Giuliani comes to mind as someone more pragmatic and results-focused than visionary. Hard to imagine him doing too much "grand-speechifying" rather than talking about getting things to work again. Brooks' slant might say that Rudy has more of a chance than I've been giving him.

[KingMeloFlash]

GREAT VIDEO BALLING!!!

[jazzyjaimin]

Nice Video, but Churchill wasn't always perfect. Take WW1 for example, Anzac Cove was disastrous.

A good leader, in my opinion, shouldn't believe that the country he is at the helm of and its power can abuse and intimidate other countries who they think are weak, otherwise a nuclear war or WW3 might break out. And seriously, I think the USA need someone whose vocabulary spans in greater depth then "terrorists" or "freedom".

[ockteby]

Unfortunately the exponential increase in video cameras will continue to make Narcissus the most important God in the 2008 election.

[joeralt]

Hi Tom

Yet another thought provoking and inspiring video.Great.

I personally disagree with the whole idea of practical and shrewed leaders who know how to manipulate situations cause in the end they manipulate everybody else including the very same people who voted for them.

[groovytimes]

I dont know if we have any real, "Non visionary" candidates atm...maybe McCain? But I do agree with him that we need someone who can get results, stop living in the dream world right?

[FantasticBabblings]

Why not a visionary who can get things done. DeWitt Clinton was such a man. Do they still exist?

[cambridgee]

bush-clinton-bush- please no.

have we no imagination in the election process. with GW we got what we deserved. anyone who saw him as a viable candidate for president after the record of non achievement and worse til he was over 40... how can that happen. do we even pay attention?

peace (in my lifetime?)

[cambridgee]

we need vision. we need to focus on developing alternative fuels. like the space race. govt, academia and industry working together toward a focused goal. with free market principles not just govt funding at stake. until then we are stuck in a series of wars.

who. maybe obama.

peace.