[js1138]

The specific issue was whether I would rather be led by 500 people at random, or the faculty of harvard (or any other Ivy League university). My response remains the same. Political leaders do not need to be geniuses or technicians. As Henry Ford said, these kinds of people can be hired.

What is necessary in a leader is a good heart and common sense. Any group of university plutocrats is going to be dominated by overly ambitious, self-important back biters. I six years of college, I met perhaps three professors that I would support for political office.

[liberallarry]

Aristotle thought the best ruler would be a philosopher-king. It's true they're hard to find. But common sense is not very common and a good heart is too often a class issue.

A leader's qualities should be suited to the times - what works in war doesn't necessarily work in peace and vice-versa.

When all is said, leadership is still a somewhat mysterious quality - but I'll always prefer intelligence to stupidity.