Management vs. Leadership: GOP Edition
Democratic presidential contenders Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have been having a debate for several weeks now over whether managerial competence or inspirational leadership is more important in a president. Now a couple of Republican contenders are having their turn.
Speaking in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., late last week, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., drew a contrast between himself and one of his top competitors, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Here's how MSNBC's "First Read" characterized McCain's remarks:
"I think everybody knows the difference between leadership and management," McCain told a group of reporters gathered at an airport here. "You can hire managers all the time, people who do the mechanics, people who implement policies, people who are good with assets. Leadership is people who inspire… Leadership is people who have had hands on experience with patriotism and service to the nation… Leadership is the ability to inspire and the ability to make Americans serve causes greater than their self-interest."Asked what that description of leadership implied about his biggest opponent in Florida, McCain said, "Governor Romney is touting his qualities and his experience and resume as a manager. I am telling the American people that I am a leader and they know it."
Among the "people who inspire," McCain listed Ronald Reagan and Gen. David Petraeus.
Romney, CNN's "Political Ticker" reported, fired back thusly:
He told supporters in Pensacola that as the only candidate at Thursday’s Florida Republican debate who had worked in the private sector, he was uniquely qualified to lead on economic issues.He added that in his view, McCain hadn’t done well at the forum: the senator “had to come back and flail a bit, trying to attack my record, saying that my record — 25 years in the business world and three years running the Olympics, and then four years as governor of Massachusetts — that that doesn't qualify me to understand how the economy works."
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Government Executive Staff Correspondent Alyssa Rosenberg takes a look at news affecting the management and operations of the massive federal bureaucracy.
McCain want to bomb Iran and stay in Iraq for 100 years. McCain want to get interest rate to zero and lead to our economic collaps. McCain want all the illeagal immigrants to stay in this country and leagal immigrants who can vote do not support it. McCain promised with more wars. How secure could our country be with him in power???
Linda Posted Monday, January 28, 2008 2:26 PMMcCain what a joke. Washed up worn out old man who is incompetent through and through. I can't believe people are putting a Washington insider back into the mix what a crock.
Cameron Posted Monday, January 28, 2008 3:00 PMMcCain is a refreshing breeze of honesty, leadership, and statesmanship in a hurricane of negative, misrepresentative ads and vascillation. He says what he believes is right, regardless of what is popular, unlike many of his opponents. I don't agree with everything that he supports, but at least I know where he stands.
And he can spell and write complete, grammatically correct sentences.
Ron Posted Tuesday, January 29, 2008 7:15 AMIf McCain runs against Hillary, it will be a "McHillary" election. They are not different. Can we at least choose people who have different platforms?
Tired Posted Wednesday, January 30, 2008 8:01 AMTo the last post . . . .English is the national language! Get to know it . . . become a citizen, pay taxes . . . and pay your bill at the emergency room!
Factman Posted Tuesday, March 11, 2008 12:03 PM