Politics vs. Popularity
If what we were told since childhood -- that what's right is not always popular and what's popular is not always right --is true, then I must admit to being a tad confused.

What the phrase doesn't say -- what it doesn't tell us -- is what is preferable to most.

Being right is a victory, but it's often a quiet one. Bellow from the rooftops that you are right, and you might find yourself seeking popularity.

The more I read on the presidential primaries, the more concerned I become that being popular in this culture is considered better than being right.

Arecent example comes a Dick Morris colum, which followed a Democratic presidential debate.

According to Morris, Hillary Clinton made a mistake when she criticized Barack Obama's pledge to meet with leaders of rogue countries.

In his column, Morris said Clinton:

"is on the wrong side of this particular issue for the Democratic primary electorate. Scott Rasmussen’s daily tracking poll shows that Democrats agree with Obama that the president should meet with these foreign leaders without preconditions by 55 percent to 22."

Morris goes onto say Clinton has lost the ability to think like an "outsider."

I know Morris thinks with polls, with politics. But wouldn't it be better to think Hillary went after Obama's opinion because she really did disagree with it?

I have never seen the value in a candidate who makes decisions based on polls. I'm sure I'm being naive here, but the best leaders seem to be the ones who don't listen to the opinions of those who are less informed than them.

And on this case, I'd argue Clinton's opinion on speaking to leaders of rogue countries without condition -- that it's a bad idea -- is correct.

There are many reasons to be troubled by Hillary Clinton as president. But the idea that she might have shot from the hip in a debate -- and been right -- will help her with some voters.

As for Obama, every time he talks, he sounds worse. I'm not even sure if he knows why he's running.