If politicians told the truth, would most Americans actually want to hear it?

[YoungDemCA]

These are all examples of politicians (two Presidents and a presidential candidate) being more frank, more honest, and coming as close to telling the truth as politicians have ever done in the modern USA.

The thing is, a lot of people complain about politicians who lie-yet people continue to be willingly deceived by the same propaganda/public relations techniques that have been around for 100 years (if not more, in some cases).

Look where telling the truth got Carter and Mondale (look at their opponent). By the time Eisenhower gave his farewell address, he was on the way out of political life.

We have an amazing human ability to deceive ourselves, and to be deceived by public figures.

[elleng]

1. Yes.

[YoungDemCA]

2. Elaborate.

I am curious here.

[elleng]

5. Most would recognize how bad things are now,

and how refreshing it can be (and was) if honesty and civility were spoken.

See O'Donnell interview w Matthews re: Matthews new book about Reagan and O'Neill, on tonight's O'Donnell show.

[blkmusclmachine]

3. Some would, and some would not.

[Sedona]

4. we can't handle the truth

[Heather MC]

6. True Story

I was in 5th Grade when Mondale was Running. And i remember the Teacher had everyone make a Political Poster of the Candidate They wanted to win.

IT was about 15 students. I was the only one to make a Mondale Poster.
Some of the Kids pestered me as to why I Choose Mondale, they said eww he wants to raise Taxes
I said, I don't care I like him. He is my Choice.

Ahhh Life in Lynchburg, VA
My Heart has always be Blue

[ChoppinBroccoli]

7. I Heard Someone Speak On This Very Subject Years Ago

I think it may have even been a stand-up comedian, who basically said that everyone complains that politicians lie, but if you ever encountered a politician who DIDN'T lie, no one would ever vote for him.

Howard Dean essentially said the same thing back in 2004, when he told people that under his plan, yes, they could have healthcare reform, but they would have to give back their tax cuts to get it, even though all of his opponents were falsely promising that they could deliver healthcare reform WITHOUT having to give up the tax cuts. The moral of the story: Howard Dean went from Democratic front-runner to finishing third in Iowa after telling people the truth.

[TygrBright]

8. Wasn't that the premise of the film "Bulworth"? n/t