Appearances can be Deceiving

In the Washington Times today, Martin Seiff reviewed Laurence Leamer's biography of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. There are two profound characteristics of Arnold's weightlifting, film, and political career. First, others often underestimated him. But, despite nay-sayers, he became Mr. Olympus, a popular movie actor, and governor of California, the richest, most populous state in the union.

Secondly, Gov. Schwarzenegger has collected brilliant, motivated people around him to help him consider and enact policy. Even though the press clamors about how Schwarzenegger is inarticulate, he does not feel the need to prove himself smarter than his experts. Seiff points out that this inferiority "bedeviled the careers and presidential campaigns of Al Gore and John Kerry."

Seiff rightly draws a strong analogy between Gov. Schwarzenegger and Presidents Bush and Reagan. The best leaders are motivated, not dragged down, by critics and use the strengths of their staffs to effectively reach the goals. They see a bigger picture than just themselves.