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Old 08-15-2008, 10:37 AM   #10
Kitanna
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Watching President Fillmore ride a unicorn
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Kitanna is battling Black Riders on Weathertop.Kitanna is battling Black Riders on Weathertop.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mansun View Post
Saruman was a power deriving freak, not a capable politician. If you used his policies, you are looking at another Hitler situation. Therefore, the thread question asks if Gandalf is the best candidate to take the top job in politics on grounds of ability alone, not by who is obssessed by politics. Gandalf was a far more astitute policy maker and governor of the free people.
But the ability to gain power like that can make a good politician. Power hungry or not Saruman would have made a better politician than Gandalf. Many distrusted Gandalf. The Hobbits found him a disturber of the peace, Grima, with Saruman's help, had Rohan convinced he was Stormcrow, Denethor was never thrilled with his presence. And it didn't bother him. He could be hated as long as he got the job done. As far as politicians go that's not what they want to strive for. Saruman and Sauron are both far superior as politicians. They could bend themselves into looking fair so people would follow them. Being a politician involves getting people to follow and support you, regardless of the ends. Gandalf was unbending in his ways and that makes a poor politician.

Quote:
Can you give me any examples of what Saruman actually achieved? Building an army of orcs and wargs is an achievement? In my book, anyone who abandons the forces of Good for orcs is weak and is a freak.
He convinced Gandalf not to act on the Ring issue in the Shire. And Gandalf followed as if Saruman was a politician because he trusted Saruman's leadership.
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