Michael Korda Quotes

We shouldn't require our politicians to be movie stars. Then again, we're all influenced by charisma. It's hard not to be. We all collectively fall for it.

Generally speaking, politicians are an odd bunch. They seem to have very thick skins and genuinely don't care what people think. And charm is a very important part of the politician's armoury. I try to resist that kind of charm.

Obama and Clinton make an interesting contrast in brands.

I rarely meet a politician that I don't like personally. They are generally well endowed with charm. Therein lies the danger.

Through his mastery of storytelling techniques, he has managed to separate his character, in the public mind, from his actions as president. He has, in short, mesmerized us with that steady gaze.

Governor Blanco is like Packman without the looks.

The man [Richard Nixon] has no style. No style at all.

Claude Kirk was probably the most charismatic person I ever met.

The worst thing a politician can be is dull. At least I'm interesting.

A great politician has great charisma.

It is essential for politicians to make a connection with us, as Franklin Roosevelt did, as Teddy Roosevelt did, as John F. Kennedy did, as Ronald Reagan did.

A lot of people over time have had this kind of pattern in their relationship with Bill Clinton. You first meet him and you're overwhelmed by his talent. He's so energetic and articulate and full of ideas and he calls himself a congenital optimist and that optimism is contagious.

Obama is a very good actor. He knows how to play it. And he is very adept at creating this 'Obama' - this character who is there whenever the world needs something.

Lack of charisma can be fatal.

My view of Sarah Palin is she is the most dynamic figure maybe in politics, even more in some ways than President Obama, who is a little more scripted than she is. He is great with the teleprompter.

You don't learn charm. It's not something that you can acquire. I have used it much in my life with great success, but it's not necessarily what makes me an actor. It became a very easy label to attach to me. It also feels a bit dismissive. People go, 'You're so lovely and charming', but it's a wee bit, 'That's all you are.'

I'm the guy everybody wanted to live next door. They just didn't want me to be prime minister.

God has blessed me with a certain amount of presence and a certain amount of charisma.

Maybe we like our politicians to appear like bumbling oafs. It certainly never did Ronald Reagan or George Bush any harm. The Italians still seem enamoured of Silvio Berlusconi - a man whose entry into a room is less likely to be greeted with the Italian national anthem than by the Benny Hill theme tune.

Who ever heard of a charismatic Congress?

Politicians are half ego and half humility.

I don't care how great your ideas are or how well you can articulate them, people must like you before they will vote for you.

The Presidency is not a showman’s job. You can’t make a Teddy Roosevelt out of me.

It’s not only what you do in politics. It’s what you appear to do.