Gandalf for President?

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Mansun

There is no doubt that Gandalf is the best (save Sauron perhaps) candidate in the LOTR to govern many countries at a time, as well as other key political figures.

Hmmm...Gandalf as best, followed by Sauron in your estimation? The statement is contradictory to what you have maintained throughout this thread.

Originally Posted by Mansun

Whilst he may never run for US president out of personal preference, it is folly to discard his capabilities over more politically manipulative machiavellian characters. In society today, machiavellian characters are loathed as evil, and eventually people read between the lines and see through it.

Again, from a political standpoint, you misunderstand Gandalf's capabilities. He rigidly maintained a pre-set agenda, which is the correct attitude for a missionary, but not a politician. There would be no give-and-take for Gandalf's administration, no detente which is a requirement in modern politics. Bending and swaying to political realities was not a Gandalf trait. He would want nothing to do with modern realpolitick. Intractability can be virtuous if you seek to inspire (in an almost religously zealous manner of Gandalf), but it wouldn't work during Congressional budget meetings.

As far as Machiavelli, it is required reading for most political science degrees, and he is one of the most influential political philosophers of all time. I'm quite sure if you did a poll, you'd find that most most high level politicians and heads of corporations have read The Prince (or Machiavelli's other noted work The Art of War). Please read up on Napoleon or Churchill, both whom admired Machiavelli.