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[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

Morning quote from columnist, David Brooks, in a column about self- 
knowledge of leaders:

 The central illusion of modern politics is that if only people as  
virtuous as “us” had power, then things would be better. Candidates  
get elected by telling people what they want to hear, leading them by  
using the sugar of their own fantasies.

Somehow a leader conversant with his own failings wouldn’t be as  
affected by the moral self-approval that afflicts most political  
movements. He’d be detached from his most fervid followers and  
merciful and understanding toward foes. He’d have a sense of his own  
smallness in the sweep of events. He or she would contravene Lord  
Acton’s dictum and grow sadder and wiser with more power.
All this suggests a maxim for us voters: Don’t only look to see which  
candidate has the most talent. Look for the one most emotionally  
gripped by his own failings.


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/06/opinion/06brooks.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin