Politics as a Serious Profession

by William Rusher | Quotes

“Politics … is a serious business—for its regular practitioners a true profession—and experience acquired in it, in managerial as much as in candidatorial capacities, is a precious asset. What issues should be emphasized; what compromises should be accepted; what needs to be done to mount an effective campaign—these are all questions concerning which the opinion of an expert, or for that matter of anyone having a little practical experience, is usually worth far more than the intuitions of unseasoned amateurs.”

Source: The Making of the New Majority Party (1975)

Keywords: governance,political-strategy,campaigns

Author

  • William A. Rusher (1923–2011), publisher of National Review (1957–1988), was a leading conservative spokesman, columnist, and author. He helped draft Barry Goldwater for the 1964 GOP nomination, shaping the party’s future. A Princeton and Harvard Law graduate, he served in WWII, worked in law, and advised the U.S. Senate. In 1989, he became a Distinguished Fellow at the Claremont Institute and remained active in conservative circles until his passing in 2011.

    View all posts