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It may be that my streams of information bend far more left, but Vance seems to lack charisma necessary to head a cult of personality. Populism, though it seems counteriintuitive, actually needs a salesman.

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I judge Vance mostly by his book, which I liked, and what he has said more recently about his political position, which I don't like. I haven't listened to any of his speeches, which would probably be the best way of judging charisma. I should.

I did recently hear part of a Trump speech and was impressed by how good he is at what he is doing.

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P.S. I have now spent ten minutes or so listening to a Vance speech. He is no more truthful than Trump and a much worse speaker, so Benjamin may be right. Is there anyone else in a better position to take over Trump's movement if he dies or retires? Does the movement need a charismatic leader or can it continue, as a viable political coalition, without one?

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