I hadn’t been to my presidency class since Sept. 14 (our every-other-week meeting schedule fell unfortunately during my trip to Hawaii), so tonight was an extra-special treat of a rousing political discussion.
I can’t shake the feeling that I talk too much in this class. And no, it’s not that I’m railing on Bush or singing the praises of Kerry — the class occasionally dips a toe in the current political pool, but mostly we talk about things at a more conceptual/philosophical level than that. Tonight’s puzzle was deciphering the difference between leadership (influence, persuasion, leading) and power (command, wielding power, etc.).
We had an animated discussion of many elements of presidential power and leadership … but, as I said, I felt at many times like I was dominating the discussion. I’d like to think it’s ’cause I’ve got so darned many brilliant things to say (and to my credit, in all modesty, whenever I do make a point, those around me always shake their heads and murmur, sometimes even saying, “Hmmm, that’s a really good point. I hadn’t thought of that.”) … but I think it’s also that the topic (presidential politics) fascinates the hell out of me.
At any rate, I’m back at my office now tying up some loose ends (‘specially since I spent the last hour of my day writing my book review paper and let some things fall by the wayside), and am utterly aglow with the joy of having spent a fabulous 2 1/2 hours enmeshed in intelligent, respectful, thoughtful, BIPARTISAN philosophical discussion of politics. It’s so awesome!