Now do you see why the dog on the roof is a big deal?

[kurt_cagle]

92. Sociopathy

One of the more intriguing traits of sociopaths is that they are frequently attracted to power, not because they see it as a vehicle for changing the system or because they believe it is an obligation that they should undertake, but because they get great pleasure in having power over others. Yet once that's achieved, sociopaths frequently tend to lose interest in the day to day application of that power - they get bored with the responsibilities.

I've had reservations about Romney and potential sociopathy for a while. He actually fits the profile rather disturbingly well. Sociopaths re not necessarily bad people, but they have an inability to empathize. It's very difficult for them to see the world from beyond their own perspective. As a consequence they tend not to see (or be bothered by) the consequences of their actions on others. This can occasionally be a good thing in a leader - they can sometimes make hard choices without the emotional anguish others may feel for those that will be affected by their actions, which means that they can often be ruthless, but while this may in fact be a good trait (arguably) for a financial firm, it's not a good one for a leader of a government - the ends justify the means type of thinking tends to prevail.

Of the presidents we've had, Nixon was probably the closest to being a sociopathic personality (though I don't believe he was clinically sociopathic), and it's noteworthy that several of the people that he brought in as cabinet and advisors definitely fell into that camp - Kissinger being the most notable. Neither of the Bush's were - W. was an alcoholic and drug addict who was pretty much thrust into the roles he played even though he had no real competence there. HW was probably closer, but he didn't have the lack of follow-through characteristics. Clinton had abandonment issues (and to be honest, so does Obama) but neither has a sociopathic personality. Of the other candidates, Palin has strong attention seeking and narcissistic behaviors, but I think she actually has a modicum of empathy. Bachmann was just disconnected from reality. Gingrich comes close to sociopathy - still on the fence about whether he is or not - if he is, he's definitely no longer alpha wolf. Ron Paul is quite principled, and has been willing to buck the crowd much of his life, which is not a trait I'd associate with a sociopath. He just has an unworkably minimalistic view of government in the present day and age, though that may change.

Santorum is unquestionably one, one of the reasons that I think he and Romney do not get along. Sociopaths are solitary hunters, and its always interesting watching two sociopaths that are forced into working together. Sometimes, when it's mutually beneficial, they will form temporary alliances, but usually they get along as well as two tomcats squaring off over a choice trash can. Watching Santorum and Romney squaring off, there was no question that they recognized in one another that same mindset. The difference is that Santorum is fairly open about his lack of empathy; his courting of extremist elements revealed that he'd be just as happy in an SS uniform in a different era. Romney is fronting financials, so he has to be more circumspect. Still, they are very much kindred spirits.