Why are so many politicians bad at politics? That was the observation posed by Peggy Noonan, the latest impressive guest speaker for The LeMieux Center for Public Policy
She spoke at Palm Beach Atlantic University on February 2nd, 2016. “It’s a people business,” Noonan said, yet it apparently attracts some who aren’t skilled at dealing with people.
Noonan should know, having worked as a speechwriter for Presidents Reagan and George H. W. Bush before going on to become an author of eight books and an influential columnist for The Wall Street Journal on American politics, history and culture. In support of her points, Noonan pointed to the ego-driven behavior of some presidential hopefuls noting, “Would John Kennedy have talked about leading in the polls? Would Ronald Reagan?” In response to a question about whether the anger of the electorate is being reflected in modern politics,
Noonan surmised, “As people become less educated, serious, and grounded, they become more emotional. That’s part of it.” She noted that some candidates appear to be “over the top, theatrical” in an effort to “break through the media clutter.” Noonan summed up her attraction to politics, saying that she “loves the humor and craziness.”