Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Eloquence Isn't Leadership: Smooth Talk vs. Wisdom and Strength
www.stolinsky.com ^ | 11-29-10 | stolinsky

Posted on 11/28/2010 9:21:24 PM PST by stolinsky

The key questions are these: Do we have the wisdom to distinguish style from substance? Do we have the wisdom to distinguish academic intelligence from practical intelligence? Do we have the wisdom to distinguish glib talk from wise words? Do we have the wisdom to distinguish beautiful-sounding leftist theories from mundane-sounding ideas grounded in reality? Indeed, do we have the wisdom to recognize wisdom when we see it? Time will tell.

Do I wish that we conservatives had more eloquent spokespersons? Yes. There are some on the horizon − Republican governors, for example. But in any case, I’ll pay more attention to what they say than how they say it. You see, unlike academics, lawyers and theoreticians, I spent my career holding in my hands human lives, not papers. That tends to give one a different perspective on what is truly important.

(Excerpt) Read more at stolinsky.com ...


TOPICS: Politics
KEYWORDS: eloquence; leaadership; obama; palin

1 posted on 11/28/2010 9:21:31 PM PST by stolinsky
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: stolinsky

Another eloquent and timely post, David. Always a pleasure to read you - thanks!


2 posted on 11/28/2010 9:46:52 PM PST by Talisker (When you find a turtle on top of a fence post, you can be damn sure it didn't get there on its own.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Talisker
LOL - I meant eloquent about leadership, not in contrast with it.
3 posted on 11/28/2010 9:48:42 PM PST by Talisker (When you find a turtle on top of a fence post, you can be damn sure it didn't get there on its own.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: stolinsky

I would say the answer is NO, we don’t have the ability to distinguish between style and substance. However, in obama’s case, he exhibits neither of these. He might be brilliant, but - how would we know?


4 posted on 11/28/2010 10:27:15 PM PST by ElayneJ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stolinsky

“Time will tell.”

Time has already told.


5 posted on 11/29/2010 3:56:01 AM PST by TalBlack
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stolinsky

Never trust a smooth talker,most are only salesmen.


6 posted on 11/29/2010 5:56:09 AM PST by Vaduz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson