Politics

Krauthammer compares Nelson Mandela to George Washington

Jamie Weinstein Senior Writer
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Commenting on the death of former South African leader Nelson Mandela, Charles Krauthammer said the late icon shared at least one trait with George Washington.

“And the last thing he did which is utterly remarkable, is after five years in office, he steps down,” Krauthammer said on Fox News’ “Special Report” Wednesday. “That’s George Washington. That does not happen often in Africa or anywhere. He never took the power to his head. He never was intoxicated by it. And the example he set is extremely unusual and probably the most lasting to his country.”

Krauthammer also praised Mandela for how he sought reconciliation in South Africa after he was released from prison, not revenge.

“He preached no hatred” for those who oppressed him, Krauthammer explained. “The contrast one might want to look at is Zimbabwe, which is a country that shows where South Africa could have gone — where the black leaders there who came to power made war on the whites and destroyed the country. Mandela understood. He took the example of Chile with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, where anybody who tells the truth about what happened is given ask given amnesty. Nobody ends up in jail. And that was exactly the right answer.”

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