Bully pulpit, yes; pulpit bully, no

To the editor:

T.R. Roosevelt, our 26th president, is famous for coining two enduring phrases: the 'bully pulpit” as well as 'speak softly and carry a big stick.” At least two of today's presidential aspirants seem not to have grasped the full meaning of these important notions.

Rather than listening respectfully to others' opinions, Gov. Chris Christie bellows at opponents: 'sit down and shut up!” Holding a position of authority certainly permits one to use that position to advocate for policies and practices that advance the national interest; however, it is not license for squelching dissenting views.

In response to the growing threat of international terrorism, Gov. Scott Walker egotistically proclaims: 'If I can take on 100,000 (union) protesters, I can do the same across the globe.” Such puerile puffery is no substitute for thoughtful foreign policy and effective national defense.

Should voters ultimately succumb to such political bombasts, there is one more key phrase that comes to mind: 'caveat emptor!”

Iowans: please say 'no” to such pulpit bullies.

Ed Wasserman

Iowa City