Former New Zealand Prime Minister David Lange was renowned for his perceptive analysis of world politics. He once said something about George W. Bush that clarified the dynamics of international relations as well as the nature of political leadership.
According to Lange, circumstances and organizational structures frequently propel individuals like Bush to power rather than their intelligence or skills. When someone throws a fish into the water without thinking about whether it can swim, it can sometimes stay afloat just by being in the right place at the right time.
Bush was considered a symbol of what Lange called "the American condition." This indicates that Bush's rise to power and his subsequent behavior were greatly influenced by the system and environment in which he functioned. Among the many difficulties he faced as president were the Iraq War and the September 11 attacks. Nevertheless, Lange noted that Bush's ascent to power and his crisis management style had an element of inevitableness despite these complications.
Lange added that profound knowledge or high IQ are not always necessary for effective leadership. It's more about knowing the correct course, even if one lacks a lot of intelligence. The idea of a "moron in a hurry" serves as a reminder that sometimes taking action based on empathy and common sense can have a greater impact than intricate strategic planning.
Lange stressed in his reflections that starting a war is not the same as preventing it. This opinion implies that although Bush's administration was dedicated to using force to fight terrorism, the strategy may have backfired in the long run. Attempting to extinguish a fire with gasoline may seem reasonable at first, but it can quickly worsen the situation.
All things considered, Lange's observations about Bush provide a critical viewpoint on the selection of political leaders and how their behavior may be a reflection of broader systemic problems rather than personal genius or moral clarity.