Some of the most distinguished leaders in history were polarizing figures

[mtnsnake]

For those people, they weren't in it to win a popularity contest, so greatness didn't come without a price tag.

Some of you worry way too much about who's polarizing, when maybe you should also be wondering why some people AREN'T polarizing.

Get over it.

[LoZoccolo]

1. How many of them had to get elected, though? n/t

[reality based]

2. Lincoln?

[LoZoccolo]

3. Lincoln was actually two-faced on the issue of slavery when campaigning.

I agree with the original post, but the most effective place to be polarizing is the one where you are working on the populace, rather than the populace working on you.

[reality based]

6. Come on, are you saying Lincoln wasn't a polarizing figure?

[LoZoccolo]

10. It seems like things were already pretty polarized by then.

He seemed to be trying to appeal to both poles if you look at things he said:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln_on_slavery

I'm not saying that what he did was right, just that it's usually activists and not elected officials which do the leading into battle.

[mtnsnake]

5. Yes. Lincoln was one of the most polarizing candidates ever. nt

[Renew Deal]

4. How about listing those "polarizing figures" to make your point?

So far I don't see it.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

9. John Kennedy

He won with 49% of the vote...There was so much hatred for him in parts of the south that his assassination was met with cheers...

Ted Kennedy is also a very polarizing figure...

Malcom X...

If you aren't pissing some folks off you probably aren't standing for much..

[dionysus]

7. you know who's also polarizing?

Brewer and Shipley!!!

one toke over the line sweet mtnsnake, one toke over the line...

standing downtown at the DLC station, one toke over the line...

:hi:

[OHdem10]

8. FDR , whom I consider the Greatest---yes, Republicans held

him in contimept.

Aleader who has any convictions is going to have people who disagree
with them , some will hole them in contempt.