Aspergians as politicians--who else?

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I've read that some of our great past presidents likely had asperger syndrome--Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. oh, and I've read that Hitler may have had it too.

So, what other politicians might have been aspies?

And, what are the hypotheses about:
- why aspies are in politics?
- are aspies good in politics?
- is Newt Gingrich a high functioning aspie? there are so many possible traits through out his experience. and knowing only a bit about his personal life and how he treated his lesbian daughter for so long. . .makes me wonder if all those slips of tongue where the media jumps on the outrageous things he says. . .are really just examples of his aspie theory of mind issues.

What OTHER politicians were likely candidates?
The claims for the ones youve listed are pure BS (common, but BS).

Political acumen and aspergers do not mix well.

Many historic figures may have been aspies in the sciences and in the arts- Einstein, Bill Gates, Newton, Thelonius Monk, and Charlie Parker to name some likely candidates.

But im skeptical of claims that any politician ( good or evil) who achieves any degree of success as a politician was an aspie. Jimmy Carter, and DC mayor Adrian Fenty, are the two most aspie-like politicians in recent memory that I know of, and both were spectacularly unsuccessful as politicians.

Both Hitler and Linclon were more like Reagan ( very unaspie like) than like Jimmy Carter. Niether had any aspergian traits to speak of and yet both are constanly cited as possilbe aspies for some odd reason ( Lincoln because of wishful thinking- Hitler for reasons I cant comprehend).

There was a fad a few years ago of writers (themselves usually gay) of claiming that Lincoln was gay. Everyone wants to claim Lincoln.

But mainstream historians pretty much disproved that (coincidently Lincolns predeccessor James Buchanan is thought by historians to be Americas one likely gay president). I doubt LIncoln was either gay or aspie.

Lincoln had depression and may have been bipolar, and Hitler was a sociopath and probably a narcissist, and much else, but I dont know of any aspergian trait either had.

Someone on another aspie website thought that George Washington was an aspie. He said that Washington was rather tactless and gruff and couldnt filter the things he said- kinda like Dr. House.

I find that a bit hard to believe, but it would be kinda cool if it were true- that he was neurologically impaired in such a way that he almost litereally "couldnt tell a lie" .

Hitler wasn't an Aspie, he was an Emo

A recent study suggests that Autistic Traits may reach out into thirty percent of the population. Based on that information it wouldn't be too unusual that some politicians might have some autistic traits.

Not likely many of them would garner a diagnosis, because of the requirement that the disturbance causes clinically significant impairments in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Politicians that haven't developed the ability to socialize well in the media rich world, don't usually make it very far.

On the other hand, this wasn't as much of an issue with early Presidents in the US, some of them are reported to be extremely eccentric in their biographies, having problems with socializing, but never the less, they maintained the highest office in the land.

I would suggest traits of Autism, yes very possible, but would any of them actually be diagnosed, not likely the politicians that exist, in today's world.

There is a big difference between clinically significant impairments in important areas of life functioning, and the range of differences of personality and behavior that are part of the whole human spectrum.

I can't see where anyone would even seek a diagnosis if they didn't have some significant problem in life functioning that was being impacted by traits defined as autistic ones.

Can an aspie get through a political campaign?
Can an aspie fake compassion and pity?
Is an aspie a good lier?
Does an aspie have a very likable,friendly,charismatic personality in front of a camera?


The answer to all of these questions is NO! All of these skills are required to be a politician. Intelligence and integrity are not as important in politics as manipulation,charisma,dishonesty and fake compassion.

You need an incredible amount of charisma and a talent for bending others to your will to become a successful politician.

Thanks for all your perspectives.

It is interesting to see that most of you don't think that Aspies can be charming or lie. au contraire!

Aspies start with any kind of personality and then find whatever coping mechanism works for them. Thus, there are many successful, high functioning aspies in business and banking that are charming and slick in person. . .and quick to get out of meetings and dealing with people whenever possible. Think of Steve Jobs. Some say he is a visionary. Flip side--he was a royal jerk to work with as he couldn't work in a team with anyone. It was always his way or the highway. Still, he charmed lots of investors with his eloquence, intelligence and self-focused cockiness.

I'm guessing that there are aspies in politics because they are driven to do the right thing. Why not? A lot of aspies go into law. And many politicians come from law.

oh, one other item that I/others would like to counter--be careful of assuming that all aspies would seek a diagnosis/know that something is wrong/very different about them. There are many high functioning aspies that don't think anything is odd/wrong with them because they deeply believe that everyone else is an idiot for not seeing they way the aspie sees things. Several different coping mechanisms can lead to this too.

anyway, thanks for bouncing the idea around.

Ridiculous.

It's not really about charm or whatever, but more to do with the fact they're so f*****g socially comfortable that the idea that they may have Asperger's is just appalling and extremely careless and frivolous diagnosis.

Newt Gingrich? Really?

Stop insulting our intelligence.

Kevin Rudd has AS.

I'm socially comfortable. I've been in a chalet for four days with 1 psychopath, 4 minions and 1 beautiful girl, and at the end of the four days it was them who cracked and me who got the girl. Aspergers doesn't preclude extreme social comfort.

Social cluelessness isn't a primary symptom of Aspergers. I've explained this in other threads. If you were aspie and narcissistic you wouldn't constantly ask "How can I better fit in?" - as so many of you seem to - but rather you would believe absolutely "People can either relate to me or they can't. The ones who can't are insane." You would recognise that social appropriateness is nothing more than a imaginary weapon wielded by whoever has power and made solid by those who kneel before it.

So, what makes sense or doesn't make sense to you is less pertinent than the question: why do you need politicians to not have Aspergers? Are you making the mistake of defining a part of your identity by a list of symptoms?

Google Kevin Rudd Aspergers. It's a widely held notion. I don't know him.