What political position did Albert Einstein turn down ? +++++++++++++++++ 03-11-03, 09:11 AM methos When the Israeli government was first being formed, the leading political party offered to let him run on their ticket for President of Israel.
03-11-03, 11:42 AM DorianGreyed I have read that before, but wanted to check with a source. I wrote the author of a (then) new biography of Einstein and asked what he knew. He hadn't heard of it, which surprised me. I had always assumed the story to be true, and still think it it is. If you have a source, please post it.
03-11-03, 02:23 PM methos This seems reputable, but I'll see if I can find something better. Most trivia sites state that he was offered the presidency. Since Israel is a democracy, this is a ridiculous claim. He was only offered canidacy, not the actual job.
03-11-03, 08:01 PM DorianGreyed Methos, thanks for the reference. I notice that the year given (for the letter to Einstein) was 1952. That certainly eliminates the rumors I had heard, those stating Einstien was offred the role as first President, since Israel was founded in 1947. Of course, as you say, he couldn't be offered the position, just the opportunity to be elected.
03-11-03, 08:27 PM WiteoutKing well, he probably would have made an excellent and responsible leader. He was noted to have been horrified at the use of his invention, the atom bomb.
03-11-03, 08:50 PM DorianGreyed Wok, with all due respect, honorable and sage men do not necessarily make good leaders, especially in times of war, and Israel has been under attack since before I was born. Most of the AP people remember Jimmy Carter, a wise, honorable man. He was not a good president.
03-12-03, 11:44 AM dogspit Here are a couple other sites which verify it:
03-12-03, 02:27 PM VelvetVoice DG, you are right that honorable men do not necessarily make good leaders. Let one do what they know best, and let history account it for righteousness. But who is capable of leadership? A rhetorical question for the ages.
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