Great In Retrospect

There have never been many "giants" in America's (or any country's) politics while they were alive. Ted Kennedy was hardly considered a "giant" for much of his life. In fact, I recall one report - years ago - that described him as "pygmy" relative to his two brothers.

Winston Churchill was not considered a giant when he was removed from office. Harry Truman approval ratings have only skyrocketed in the years after his death. In reality, leaders are never giants, only human beings. On the whole, human beings are not much better or worse than they have been throughout history. As far as the media, go back and look at the political cartoons throughout history. They were just as nasty then as they are now. Special interests have been influencing leaders for centuries. As for being cynical, Americans in 2009 are hardly the inventors of cynicism -- this has been part of being human for awhile. My guess is that even our ancestors in the caves made a few cynical grunts!

By Marshall Goldsmith

 |  August 31, 2009; 2:42 PM ET
Category:  Politics
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