In modern American politics, being the right kind of ignorant and entertainingly crazy is like having a big right hand in boxing; you've always got a puncher's chance.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
The American Right has an amazing ability to lionize leaders whose lives are the precise antithesis of the political values that define their image.
What we Americans go through to pick a president is not only crazy and unnecessary but genuinely abusive. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent in a craven, cynical effort to stir up hatred and anger on both sides.
In politics stupidity is not a handicap.
No doubt the ridiculous politicians are right to like politics. They have found careers in which success can be achieved by being ridiculous. Imagine Jimmy Carter or George W. Bush rising to the top of any other profession.
There are times in politics when you must be on the right side and lose.
Whether you are on the Right or the Left, everyone can agree that there are a lot of outside influences in American politics that are not good for the system. There's just too much money.
Radical politics tend to be simple minded.
Political ignorance helps explain Americans' perpetual disappointment with politicians generally, and presidents especially, to whom voters unrealistically attribute abilities to control events.
Modern Americans - shaped by raucous politics and a rapacious media - like to think of themselves as experts in confronting mistakes.
To put it bluntly, American political opportunities are heavily loaded against those who are simultaneously intelligent and honest.