The question is almost always a trap, and I think GWB opted out of that by choosing Jesus (i.e. the safe bet). Say you choose Aristotle, and you can see how that might cause problems; same with Plato. You can't really go past the reformation for fear of stepping in the muck of a Protestant-Catholic divide--just about the safest person to pick would be Thomas Aquinas (and there are even ways that choice could be turned against you politically; and no way in hell could you pick Augustine).
But anyone who is asked that question should recognize that there are a few obvious ones that you absolutely do not pick... and Mao is definitely on that list. There is maddening segment of leftist thought that hasn't yet understood the reality of the body count.
