A statesman or stateswoman is a respected, skilled and experienced political leader or figure.[1] In most respects a statesman is the opposite of a politician. Politicians are thought of as people who will say or do anything to get elected or to gain power.[2] A statesman is someone who does everything for the common good of the people he or she represents.[2] To call a person a statesman is a mark of high regard for that person's integrity.[3] To call someone a politician usually implies the person is worthy of very little esteem.[3] For example, George Washington is almost always called a statesman.[4] An elder statesman is a term often defined as an older politician or advisor who is thought to be above normal politics.[a][7]
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