Who is a better statesman?

Question

Is a statesmen who will change his stated beliefs to reflect public oppinion better then one who will stick to his beliefs no matter what public oppinion is?
Also which politician do you think best reflects each category?

Answer 1

The better statesman is the one who listen to his advisors and takes there expert opinon and changes his mind if most of them are saying he is wrong. If 90% of the experts are saying your wrong you can bet your wrong.

Answer 2

I believe that a statesman would listen to public opinion and try to understand all the major different positions and then try to balance his policies and positions between those opinions, that, after careful study, appear to be most moderate, right, moral, ethical, legal, true and effective and with his own convictions, convictions that must be carefully reflected upon to make sure they, also, really are the most right, moderate, moral, ethical and true to oneself and ones beliefs, and convictions that are firmly held but not completely unchanging in the face of new information and understanding that comes with the passage of time and learning from experience.

A statesman cares deeply about truth and sincerely tries to do the right thing and has a profound understanding of the complexity of truly good and truly effective foreign and domestic policy and wants to leave a more free, equal, peaceful, just, happy and prosperous government, country and world then they started with for all the people.

Anyone who tries to pull the wool over the public's eyes, does not have the common good in mind, thinks they're never wrong, couldn't improve there policies and positions, and couldn't learn anything from experience already is wrong from those initial assertions and isn't a statesman.

For a statesman, I would say that Thomas Jefferson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy are examples of great historical American statesman.

Answer 3

It's an old cliche: " A statesman is a dead politician."
The terms are not interchangeable.
A statesman is one who gives his all for his country. Patrick Henry and John F. Kennedy might be common examples.
A politician is one who runs for public office.
A statesman, devoted to the service of his country is unlikely to change his views. He is known as a man of conviction.
Some politicians do whatever they think they have to do, to get elected.
Other politicians make their convictions known and run on their record or their convictions.
Public opinion is not universal, meaning there is no one opinion that everyone agrees on.

Answer 4

Your question refers to conscience or constituency. While campaigning the promise of constituency is formost. However, abstaining would be the honorable choice when confronted with a moral dilemma. By the way it's a good thing that guys like stan s and reg..whatever are around because they know everything ( dumb mother fu...have a nice day!). Apologize to stan and re whatever. way uncalled for. I'm shamed. But Roosevelt a statesman? He ushered in the wellfare state. Which is akin to spoiling an individual throughout childhood and then cutting them loose w/out life skills in the big bad world. That's some cruel snit to do to somebody. Facts baby: Every large city has 3rd. gen wellfare recipence. Slum-like housing projects costing around $800,000 per unit. Good job HUD! In addition, Roosevelt removed the gold standard. Hello inflation. F Roosevelt. May he continue to burn in Hell. W/pain. Have a nice day.