Mary Catherine Bateson
The American presidency requires both vision and practicality, just as the achievement of social justice or peace requires both. Probably all the candidates have both in some measure, but in different proportions. We should be asking a two-fold question as we look at any candidate: first, will this candidate be inspired by a high vision of what this country can be and the role it can play in ensuring a just and stable world and a positive future? And second, will this candidate have the patience and respect for the democratic system to work with the political process step by step to implement that vision? It takes passion and patience, intelligence and imagination and common sense to do both.
Yes, daughter of Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson. She also said,
“You are not what you know but what you are willing to learn.”
and
“You will know the future when you get there.”