There are two supposedly conflicting hypotheses as to what makes for great national leaders: one is that such leaders successfully shape public opinion, and the other is that they are adept at reacting to it. However, treating these hypotheses as mutually exclusive is evidently a mistake. All leaders who have had success getting their programs passed by their country' s legislature have been adroit both in shaping and reacting to public opinion. Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?
A: Having success getting programs passed by the legislature is indicative of being a great national leader.
B: It is impossible to successfully shape public opinion without in some way reacting to it.
C: To lead, one must either successfully shape public opinion or be adept at reacting to it, or both.
D: Having a good rapport with the members of the legislature allows a leader to shape public opinion.
Choose A, B, C or D as your solution.
A