[A politician is] a person skilled in the art of compromise. Usually an elected official who has compromised to get nominated, compromised to get elected, and compromised repeatedly to stay in office.
Source: Dick Gregory's Political Primer, 1972.
-- Dick Gregory, (Oct 12 1932-2017), US comedian, author, political activist; He is noted for social consciousness expressed through fasting and lifestyle; first black comedian to perform for white audiences.