A Chretien Quote for the Ages

I was surprised by that, but - when I sought his permission - Jean Chretien wasn't.  "Help them," he said.  "I don't want them to win anytime soon, but I don't want them held hostage by goddamn Nazis, either."

That line resonates with me on so many levels.  What I like the most, I think, is the idea of Kinsella asking for permission to do the right thing, but for an adversary - and his boss putting the common good above all else.

It could have been a golden opportunity to inflict all kinds of brand-damage on an opponent.  In today's political climate, it almost certainly would have been.

But that's not what leadership is about.  Leaders are never willing to put a short-term win ahead of the long-term sustainability of the whole.

There's a lesson in here for any aspiring political leaders out there.

That's what leadership is all about.