"The Next President" by WFB

In light of the current political landscape, I feel it would be appropriate to reflect upon one of the innumerable gems of wisdom spoken by the founder of the modern American conservative movement and the founder of National Review magazine, William F. Buckley, Jr. This came from a televised point-counterpoint style debate with Gore Vidal regarding the election of 1968. The specifics are particular to 1968 conditions, but the principles conveyed remain pertinent for today. Let me stress - in case the plagiarism police are around - these are the words of WFB, not me!

“The next President of the United States would ideally combine the best features of Julius Caesar, Albertus Magnus, Thomas Jefferson, Napoleon Bonaparte, Abraham Lincoln, and Eleanor Roosevelt. Which is why it is really unprofitable to talk about Camelot since we don’t live in Camelot, but in the good old USA, and that’s all right, Jack, at least, all right by me. It is more profitable to think in terms of what the next President should not be. He shouldn’t be too naïve, for instance, when the president of the Soviet Union informs him that the Communists desire world peace, the next President would ideally tell him to “cut the horse feathers.” He shouldn’t crave the idolatry of world opinion, for instance, when criticized by the United Nations for taking a position he feels he needs to take in the best interests of his country, he should feel free, quite ostentatiously, to turn off the national earphone. He shouldn’t form too high an opinion of himself, for instance, he should recognize that America is a great deal that has nothing to do with the presidency; millions of men, women and children who deserve the opportunity to dream their dreams without any reference at all to the man who occupies the White House. The best-run country in the world is Switzerland, and I have often amused myself while there by asking casually ‘what is the name of the president of Switzerland?’ Inevitably there is an embarrassed silence; no one can remember his name. And finally, the next President should not aspire to too much ‘extra-Americanism,’ to the myth of himself as the leader of the world, for instance, he should not reject his role as an American, proud of America’s past, hopeful for America’s future, confident of America’s resources, respectful of other people’s differences, disposed to live and let live, and grateful to Providence that he was born in America and will have now the supreme opportunity to serve his country. This is William F. Buckley, Jr., in New York.”