Recently, Jay Honeck posted:

Don't you find it at least curious that the straight-talking, honest
politicians are those considered non-contenders for higher office?

I'm trying to remember the last straight-talker in the Presidency.
Was it:

I recall Ike, and liked his no-BS, direct approach. Of course, most folks
didn't get it, which contributed strongly to where we are now w/r/t
military involvements in inappropriate ways.

Kennedy? Nope
Johnson? Nope
Nixon? Nope
Ford? Yep - but he was appointed.
Carter? Yep -- but no one liked what he said.
Reagan? Yep -- but only if it was good news.
Bush I? Yep -- but booted after one term.
Clinton? Nope
Bush II? Yep -- but no one likes what he says.

As you can see, the straight talkers aren't very popular with the
unwashed masses.

Oh? And the "washed masses" feel differently? I don't think so.

I dunno -- but this is shaping up to be the first election in my
lifetime that I will sit on my hands rather than vote for any of
them. I've never seen a more conniving bunch of slick salespeople
running for office in my life.

Well, it seems that even you are discounting the few candidates that are
straight-talkers. If you really want such a person, then there are a few
to choose from; on the Democratic side there's Dennis Kucinich, and on the
Republican side there's Ron Paul. Both are pretty much dismissed by the
masses, washed or otherwise.

Neil