An awful lot of content there. Sadly, after what was a bunch of good stuff on-point, you went with a politically-charged, seemingly-partisan ending.

Was that your intent?

Thanks,

Jeff Yablon
President & CEO
Virtual VIP

Dear Mr. Yablon:

I appreciate your comment.

To your question:

If you read my first reference to Sarah Palin --one that was NOTHING BUT 100% PRO-FEMINIST-- several PT readers who commented on that post in public, i.e. on this site, wrongly (I believe) accused me of partisanship. Several others emailed me with personal attacks. So, I figured, let's juice-it-up.

If you read what I said carefully, you'll see absolutely ZERO about policy, ZERO about party, ZERO about politics --NOT ONE WORD. But, given the electrified environment we are in, if I use a candidate's name, people think I'm partisan.

NOPE; provocative (in this case) since last time I was sooooooooooo grossly misunderstood.

Finally, were I partisan I would have spoken to Obama's penchant for insulting the intelligence of the American electorate (e.g. 20 + years in an anti-white, Louis Farrakhan supporting church, and he "didn't hear Rev. Wright" express anti-Semitic views. Gimme-a-break. OR I would have spoken to how McCain has been on every side of most issues.

Now, if you see partisanship in the paragraph above, you're spot-on. I'm Jewish and have NO IDEA how Jews can maintain their support for the Democratic Party when a man who "endorsed" --actively or passively-- Louis Farrakhan, heads the ticket.

But apart from that pro-Semitic posture, I'm 100% neutral.

Thanks again for commenting,

SB

Andy:

Thank you for the comment and reference; I'm not a Newsweek fan, but I'll check-it-out.

As for your "voting posture," AMEN and a thought: Why, in the greatest nation on earth, have the choices for the highest elective office in the land always been Devil/Deep Blue Sea alternatives for as long as I can recall voting, while men like "Dollar Bill" Bradley --Rhodes Scholar, Princeton grad, and most importantly, a NY Knick-- get reamed in the primaries? Maybe you should ask the folks at PT to start a "Psychopathology & Politics" blog?

Best,

SB

One thing I'm curious about, does Sarah Palin's avoidance of the media affect your judgement of her leadership potential?

I'll admit that I strongly dislike some of her policies, which makes it hard for me to look at her objectively - I'm probably biased. Anyways, it seems like she's been avoiding speaking directly to the news more then most politicians, and seems to struggle when forced off script. Do you perceive anything like this? And even if you don't, if my perception were correct would it actually be a good predictor of leadership ability?

I'm also curious about how you think Sarah Palin might improve as a leader. So far you've talked about her good points, which given the thrust of both your articles makes sense. But it would be nice to know where you feel she could be genuinely criticized as a potential leader. Even the best leaders can still improve on somethings, right?

Dear Speckles:

If you didn't guess, I'm a quasi-news-junkie. That means, after 2 kids, one wife, boxing, fishing, cooking, cigars and wine... and, oh yes, work, I try to immerse myself in both "hard news" and commentary. Regrettably, the only hard news I see is data put out by pollsters; everything else smacks of axe-grinding. There's MSNBC on one extreme, and Mr. Limbaugh on the other. Nothing, in my mind, is in-between.

For that reason, Dear Speckles, I would avoid the media too unless I was assured "hanging-curve balls." I mean, Charles Gibson was such a haughty SOB --and the jackass READS FROM NOTES THAT SOME YOUNG INTERN PREPARED FOR HIM. HE'S A GLORIFIED WEATHERMAN. Then Palin goes on Sean Hannity's show, and he kisses her peek-toe shoes. Gimme a break!

Or, in answer to your question, "NO," I don't think that avoiding the media means a thing.

Your second question is the KEY to all great leaders and, coincidentally, the chapter I just wrote for my next book: Use mentors.

Look, Kennedy and Truman were both tyros when they got to the White House but each leaned on seasoned Gray Beards. This is NOT an "Old Boys Club," but, on the contrary, exploiting the brightest and the best, PARTICULARLY IF THEY HAVE THE INTEGRITY TO TELL THE EMPEROR THAT HE'S BUTT NAKED.

If Palin --or any rookie- leans on Gray Beards, they have a good chance of success. Consulting with sycophants, however, dooms you to failure.

Thanks for writing,

SB

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