What Makes A Good Politician essays

What Makes A Good Politician essays What makes a good politician? In order to answer this question, one must first define the word politician. A Politician is defined as one who is actively involved in politics or one who holds or seeks a political office. Consequently, the definition of a good politician must be someone who does a good job at these things. In the book Hardball, Chris Matthews does an outstanding job of explaining to the reader what good and bad politics and politicians are, as well as how to get there or avoid it. Although this book is mostly opinion, it is such a profound piece of literature; its contents can be held as general truth in the world of politics. Each and every politician possesses their own political style, whatever that may be. Most of these styles are attainted with strategy in mind. Two of the most influential presidents of the twentieth century are Ronald Reagan and Lyndon Baines Johnson, each with their own unique styles. LBJ was best known in his political career through his success in retail politics. From the earliest stages in his career, LBJ took the country one person at a time. A Texas congressman Jack Brooks once said, "Lyndon Johnson would convince you that your concern, no matter how small it might seem to other people, was the most important thing in the world to Lyndon Johnson" (Matthews, 28). What Brooks says is pretty self explanatory as to how Johnson treated everyone, to work towards the presidency, and maintain it. Johnsons use of retail politics proved to be very helpful to his political career. Young LBJ started merely as a secretary to a Congressman, living in the basement level of the 'Ol Dodge Hotel in Washington (25). Starting there he made it a point to get to know, really get to know everyone he could. In his first night there he took four showers, and the following morning brushed his teeth five times. It was a simple strategy, getting to know as many people he could as fast as he could....