One of my favourite lines was Amble Dexter appealing to Malachi's patriotism, in chapter 1.
Not only is Malachi basically either asocial or misanthropic: he's not American. Born in South Africa, educated in England. Yes, his passport seems to be an American (or British, but probably American) one, rather than South African, which means he's taken on citizenship in one of those countries; but the sort of patriotism Dexter was appealing to needs to be developed from childhood. Preferably early childhood.
I'm Australian. We develop our patriotism in a different direction from how America develops theirs: I love my sunburnt country, but I love the land and the waters, the flora and the fauna. I'm more likely to be violent if you try to bring in a disease which could infect our plants and animals, than if you were to mess with our economy or government.
Not all Australians are like I am, but enough. Aim Dexter's appeal to patriotism at me, and I'd respond with simple confusion.
Later on, Dexter shows himself to be incredibly naive about powerful people. He apparently can't understand how someone might be trying to stop Senator Markham from becoming president. 'Wouldn't any American want such a golden age?'
Well, no. Many Americans - scrap that, many people - would much rather be president themselves, even if it meant America went into decline. And even more would simply refuse to believe that a decline would happen if THEY were President.
And let's not mention Kingmaker type personalities, who won't accept anyone on the throne unless said person was a puppet of theirs.
Anyway, I find Dexter's ability to seriously misread people amusing, especially given his role.