Characteristics of Psychopath
(Sociopath, Anti-social Personality Disorder)

This is a fascinating clinical list. I leave it to you to apply these elements to politicians or talk show hosts you choose.

1. Glibness/superficial charm. (insincere or deceitful <as in a glib politician>)
2. Grandiose sense of self-worth. (absurd exaggeration)
3. Pathological lying
4. Conning/manipulative
5. Lack of remorse or guilt (Have no conscience or lack the concern or ability to develop one)
6. Shallow
7. Callous/lack of empathy
8. Parasitic lifestyle (bleeding another for one's own advantage
9. Poor behavioral controls
10. Promiscuous sexual behavior
11. Irratic behavior problems
12. Lack of realistic, long-term plans
13. Impulsive
14. Irresponsibility
15. Failure to accept responsibility for own actions (blame someone else)

(Narcissism also a characteristic)

"It must be remembered that even the most severely and obviously disabled psychopath presents a technical appearance of sanity, often with high intellectual capacities and not infrequently succeeds in business or professional activities for short periods, some for considerable periods. Although they occasionally appear on casual inspection as successful members of the community, as able lawyers, executive or physicians, they do not, it seems, succeed in the sense of finding satisfaction of fulfillment in their own accomplishments. Nor do they, when the full story is known, appear to find this in an ordinary activity."

--H.Cleckley, "The Mask of Sanity"

"Psychiatrists are often helplessly manipulated by the psychopath; just as are the psychopaths other victims."

--Dr. Ken Magid, "High Risk, Children Without a Conscience."

"There are psychopathic personalities in the highest echelons of government, and even within religious hierarchies in America. You can t just assume that a person with the title judge, president, senator, member of congress, mayor, governor or hospital orderly got there honestly and won t manipulate the hell out of you."