Thanks Carlos. Yes, I was very impressed with your former president, including his absence of airs. I imagine you can imagine what he said about your then-President… An Argentine friend put an interesting question to me, which applies to all of us (in any country). To what extent do excellent political leaders (or presidents) bear responsibility for the lesser quality leaders who follow them? Not an easy question to answer.
Yes, FHC was probably the only true statesman we ever had. His focus was on the country and its development and not on his own gains as president. Not that he didn’t have an ego - he has a huge one. So much so that he was unable to firm new leadership in his own party to carry on his legacy. Even so I still take my hat off for him for the stability he brought to an ailing and fragile democracy.
Thanks Vera. Your note echoes the comments of an Argentine friend. The question really: to what extent are leaders (or presidents) responsible for those who succeed them? That's a big question, including here. Some can argue, for example, that Obama produced Trump. Obama himself has mused about that.
You have a point and I don’t think there is a clear and definitive answer to it. I think he betrayed his friend and his party favoring Lula over José Serra, though. FHC never said that in so many words, but it was made clear during the presidential campaign.
Excellent summary of FHC’s role and relevant contributions to our troubled country. Unfortunately, he was the last great president we have had since.
Carlos Sampaio
Thanks Carlos. Yes, I was very impressed with your former president, including his absence of airs. I imagine you can imagine what he said about your then-President… An Argentine friend put an interesting question to me, which applies to all of us (in any country). To what extent do excellent political leaders (or presidents) bear responsibility for the lesser quality leaders who follow them? Not an easy question to answer.
Yes, FHC was probably the only true statesman we ever had. His focus was on the country and its development and not on his own gains as president. Not that he didn’t have an ego - he has a huge one. So much so that he was unable to firm new leadership in his own party to carry on his legacy. Even so I still take my hat off for him for the stability he brought to an ailing and fragile democracy.
Thanks Vera. Your note echoes the comments of an Argentine friend. The question really: to what extent are leaders (or presidents) responsible for those who succeed them? That's a big question, including here. Some can argue, for example, that Obama produced Trump. Obama himself has mused about that.
You have a point and I don’t think there is a clear and definitive answer to it. I think he betrayed his friend and his party favoring Lula over José Serra, though. FHC never said that in so many words, but it was made clear during the presidential campaign.