BobinPgh wrote:
outofplace wrote:
I think it depends on the person. You can learn to incorporate certain things into your personality that people will like, even if you are not perfect. There are people with autistic traits who have been very successful in politics. The one that comes immediately to mind is the current mayor of London, Boris Johnston. Some are even calling for him to be Prime Minister. This despite his rumpled appearance, poor eye contact, clumsiness, and social awkwardness-all of which have been noted in the press. (I first noted that he seems to be an aspie after seeing him interviewed on Top Gear where he just looked like someone on the spectrum to me. Afterwards, I researched it to confirm my suspicions.) Yet, he has been very successful in politics. Likewise, some have also suggested the US President Richard Nixon might have been on the spectrum as well. He had all of the charisma of a wet pair of socks, yet he managed to win two terms as president and almost defeated JFK in 1960! Don't limit yourself. Give life a try and see what happens.
I always thought if any recent President has aspergers it would have been Jimmy Carter because he told the truth about energy issues. Unfortunately, he did not tell what "people wanted to hear" so we ended up with Reagan. I sincerely feel that our energy issues would be mostly solved had Carter been reelected. In the UK, though, you had Winston Churchill who had a stuttering speech problem. It seems that the people in the UK, and even most of Europe, are not as taken with "charm" as much as Americans are. For example, if Mitt Romney wins, it will be because he "charmed" voters.
Exactly. Our chancellor Merkel is not charming at all and if you have seen photos from her of 20 years ago, you would think she is a pure nerd. What people here think about Obama, is differentiated: Some people like him a lot, others think he cannot really solve serious problems.
I don't remember much about Carter, but Reagan was definitely a showman, at least with his actor past. The question is: What would have happened if he wouldn't have been elected? In the long run it all comes out to the same: Energy, raw mat and water ressources are going down and no president has the one and only solution, while we are suffering luxury problems like Asperger. When it comes to serious survival problems, no one cares if you are Asperger or not.