Reply #4: it's not the experience in office that counts [View All]

[sui generis]

it's the ability to understand the complexities and realities of getting things done in a political environment.

I think you can go a very long way on idealism, drive, and focus, but at some point in the card game your candidate is going to need to understand and be able to use the more subtle art forms of the bluff and the poker face, know when to raise and know when to fold.

If they don't have those skills, or if they can be awed by anyone or anything, or if they make decisions based on appeals to sentiment and emotion instead of dry reasoning, they might get elected but they wouldn't make a good politician. A good politician is someone who understands the political dynamic and how to prod, inspire, cajole, unite, smack down, and overall, lead, using every skill and trick in the book.