in a late-1999 Presidential Debate this question was posed to the field of six candidates, "Which political philosopher or thinker do you most identify with and why?"
Steve Forbes had the first shot and he came back with John Locke and Thomas Jefferson.
Allen Keyes generically referenced the Founders.
The next answer was given by then Governor George W. Bush and it stole the headlines, "Christ, because he changed my heart." Bush was lambasted for this naked appeal to the religious right, as well as what appeared to be an unrefined political philosophy.
Orrin Hatch had the unenviable task of following Bush, responding with Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan. He also bore testimony of Christ as his Savior.
McCain, as only he could do, used his opportunity to praise the virtues of Teddy Roosevelt and he did so convincingly.
Finally Gary Bauer had his shot and elaborated on the answer of Governor Bush, quoting scripture to demonstrate his admiration of Christ as a political thinker.
It's easy to criticize the answers of the field, but with only 30 seconds to address such a deep question they had a tough job. In the over ten years since watching the debate I've thought back to the question. What would my answer be? What constitutes a political philosopher or thinker? A politician like Reagan, Roosevelt or Lincoln? The Founding Fathers? Religious figures like Christ or Muhammed? Or are we limited to someone like John Locke, a political philosopher?
I'm curious as to what drives the political thinking behind our Water Cooler participants. What political philosophers or thinkers do you most identify with? There is no wrong answer.
Steve Forbes had the first shot and he came back with John Locke and Thomas Jefferson.
Allen Keyes generically referenced the Founders.
The next answer was given by then Governor George W. Bush and it stole the headlines, "Christ, because he changed my heart." Bush was lambasted for this naked appeal to the religious right, as well as what appeared to be an unrefined political philosophy.
Orrin Hatch had the unenviable task of following Bush, responding with Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan. He also bore testimony of Christ as his Savior.
McCain, as only he could do, used his opportunity to praise the virtues of Teddy Roosevelt and he did so convincingly.
Finally Gary Bauer had his shot and elaborated on the answer of Governor Bush, quoting scripture to demonstrate his admiration of Christ as a political thinker.
It's easy to criticize the answers of the field, but with only 30 seconds to address such a deep question they had a tough job. In the over ten years since watching the debate I've thought back to the question. What would my answer be? What constitutes a political philosopher or thinker? A politician like Reagan, Roosevelt or Lincoln? The Founding Fathers? Religious figures like Christ or Muhammed? Or are we limited to someone like John Locke, a political philosopher?
I'm curious as to what drives the political thinking behind our Water Cooler participants. What political philosophers or thinkers do you most identify with? There is no wrong answer.
Comment