...But can they play poker?

[nicky g]

I think most politicians would make terrible poker players. They're so used to thinking of arguments to defend the indefensible, promoting the party line regardless of its merits etc, that they would constantly rationalise bad play, refuse to listen to expert advice etc etc.

[elwoodblues]

I would suspect that Clinton would be a pretty good player. Blair would probably hold his own. Putin is a good call. Bush - not so much. Bush Sr. would be pretty good.

[Utah]

I would take Rummy. I think he has the balls to make the big bets and to scoot his chips to the middle when it is called for. He is slightly reckless, which would be helpful. And, it does appear he is a gambler.

[ACPlayer]

Of this lot I would stay away from Putin and Clinton. They would be tough imaginative players.

Bush Sr may make a good prop player. Pretty steady IMO.

Bush, Blair, Rummy are welcome in my game. Though it would be tough to listen to Rummy's whining.

No invites for Cheney or Ashcroft -- they are both good at setting and reaching goals, specially Cheney.

I cant decide on Sharon (is he LAG or TAG - I do respect his ability to achieve his objectives -- however reprehensible the means or goals are) but know that if he was in the game he would have to come with short sleeves and will not be permitted to deal.

[Xargque]

[ QUOTE ]
I think most politicians would make terrible poker players. They're so used to thinking of arguments to defend the indefensible, promoting the party line regardless of its merits etc, that they would constantly rationalise bad play, refuse to listen to expert advice etc etc.

[/ QUOTE ]
Replace "most politicians" with "GWB" and you're right on.

-X

[Xargque]

Condi would be a total LAP-P (fish). She's never had an opinion of her own or done anything which requires the smallest amount of initiative.

I don't know about the Governator. He would probably semi-bluff or plain bluff at any possible opportunity.

-X

[Patrick del Poker Grande]

I'll take Putin - he's a russian outfit guy - worse than Teddy KGB. Cheney'd be up there too, I think.

[Fluffington]

I think the fact that Churchill was an awful poker player shows that it's hard to make any accurate conclusions of a persons poker abilities based on his intelligence and leadership qualities. That being said, I believe Cheney and Rumsfeld would make good players.

[KJS]

Rummy would be welcome in my game because he has shown he doesn't know how to quit when he is losing [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

KJS

[Fluffington]

Also, I don't think Putin would be good at all. The whole Chechnya (or however it's spelled in English) and Yukos messes could both have been avoided.