Great. I take you word on Mr. Roberts being such a great man. I have no reason earth to doubt he is. That said, in that case, is not “to ever seek political office with any chance of winning” sort of having Mr. Roberts pushing the rope? How else do we have a future if we do not try to make it go wherever we feel it should? Are you a fatalist? Let the bad politicians take over and ride the waves?

If every person seeking elected office is of questionable character then isn't it a problem with how we've set up our political system? Is it possible in your mind to set up a system that would elect and attract men of character?

See this is the difficulty I have with your position because it's a position that seems to consider economics in isolation of any political system. We live in the real world not in an economic text book and there has to be some room to consider the political needs of an economy.

You wonder what would happen to my affection for politics if Russ Roberts ever became a candidate for political office: They'd not change.

Russ is far too decent a human being – a man deeply decent and honest – a man with both self-respect and respect for others – a man for whom the charades and shenanigans that every politician must perform would be disgraceful – to ever seek political office with any chance of winning.

What does that say about our friend Mike Munger – the man currently running for Governor of North Carolina – and frequent guest on Econ Talk?

I seem to remember that the number one reason given for voting for Jimmy Carter was that he seemed like a nice guy. Great.