re: #176 Charles

Is this really how you want to start judging politicians — by their favorite philosophers?

Actually, yes. Favorite philosophers give me much greater insight into what motivates and influences a politician than their platitudes. No one can fully appreciate my own political philosophy without taking into consideration the great impact Cicero’s works, Machiavelli’s, Jefferson’s and Franklin’s have exerted on my intellectual development. I recognize greatness in them, try to improve upon it, and to deny that they influence my worldview would eb ludicrous.

If I ever became a politician — not gonna happen, you can all breathe easier now — my favorite authors and philosophers should be the first source to be consulted by anyone interested in what makes me tick and what I value…

Anita may hold no influence in the White House, pointing out that to admire Mao is deplorable may do nothing to boost the Republicans’ standing (I couldn’t care less about it, since I’m not rooting for the Repubs myself), but in and of itself, her stated admiration of Mao as a political philosopher is not above criticism. And yes, I do maintain that influences in the realm of political philosophy are acutely relevant to someone’s formation.