This is going to be short because I have class in a few minutes, but I was just reading an editorial in the WaPo, and thought it might bear on the current Obama=God/Obama=Satan discussions that have been rolling around.
First:
Philip Tetlock, a professor of psychology with the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, found that politicians on the center-left (where Obama dwells) tend to have the highest degree of integrative complexity, followed by politicians on the center-right. Politicians on the far left and far right are the most simple.
(I'm not sure about the "center-left," but it might not be too far off.
More on Page 2....
Tetlock continues:
Among the complex thinker’s advantages, says Tetlock, is the ability to see quickly the trade-offs among policy options, to update his beliefs after finding evidence that disproves his preconceptions, and to predict probable outcomes with accuracy. Among the disadvantages: The complex thinker can suffer from “analysis paralysis” and confusion; he can be perceived as unprincipled or disloyal to the values that elevated him to power; and he can be seen as too willing to make trade-offs.
And one more:
In an ideal world, complex and rational thought would be virtues. But in politics, these attributes can make Obama seem ambiguous, without toughness or principles. “It isn’t because he lacks a moral compass — it’s because he understands there are a lot of moral forces at play,” U-Va.’s Haidt says. “This is why people get frustrated with him. The more of a partisan you are, the more simple-minded you are.”
This is making me wonder: what do we want in a President: a shallow, black and white thinker like we had in Bush, or a more nuanced, thoughful, smarter person?
Some of the anger that I see around here of late makes me think that some are tending toward wanting the latter, and some are tending to want the former, depending on the issue.
I don't want to start a flame war (so be nice, folks); I just want us to think a moment. I've been among the angriest of us at some of the things Obama has done, but reading this made me pause and think that a) this is politics, and 2) I don't know everything. I only think I know everything!
Discuss.