Who Do You Think Would Make The Best President?

[michigancat]

The problem with presidents is that no normal cool person would ever want to do that job.

Plenty of normal cool people would love to do the job. It's just that normal people don't like the idea of campaigning for a job.

Correct.

So they're too lazy to put in the work required? They just want it handed to them? I don't think this person would be a very good president.

[Cartierfor3]

The problem with presidents is that no normal cool person would ever want to do that job.

Plenty of normal cool people would love to do the job. It's just that normal people don't like the idea of campaigning for a job.

Correct.

So they're to lazy to put in the work required? They just want it handed to them? I don't think this person would be a very good president.

SD just wants to hand out presidencies left and right like skittles on a Sunday

[Rage Against the McKee]

The problem with presidents is that no normal cool person would ever want to do that job.

Plenty of normal cool people would love to do the job. It's just that normal people don't like the idea of campaigning for a job.

Correct.

So they're too lazy to put in the work required? They just want it handed to them? I don't think this person would be a very good president.

 

[michigancat]

The problem with presidents is that no normal cool person would ever want to do that job.

Plenty of normal cool people would love to do the job. It's just that normal people don't like the idea of campaigning for a job.

Correct.

So they're too lazy to put in the work required? They just want it handed to them? I don't think this person would be a very good president.

 

I was half joking, but think about it. I think it's good to have a president that cares about people and wants to make the world a better place all around. If someone (who already has all the money they already need) isn't willing to invest the time and money required to run a successful campaign, they probably don't give a crap about the general public.

[Benja]

The problem is what running a successful campaign requires

[420seriouscat69]

Bob Costas.

[CNS]

When making companies more efficient, CEOs have to make decisions that are unpopular with many employees.  When those employees have a vote each, unpopular decisions don't get ppl re-elected. 

[michigancat]

The problem is what running a successful campaign requires

Elaborate

[Emo EMAW]

Petraeus

[Rage Against the McKee]

The problem is what running a successful campaign requires

Elaborate

The fundraising alone would be hell for me. Then you would have to put out advertisements, respond to attacks, constantly do interviews, etc. It just sounds soul crushing to me. I actually would enjoy traveling the country and riding in parades, though.

Why would anyone who already is in a position to get a very good job based upon their merits spend 2-3 years of their life campaigning for a job that essentially comes down to the whims of the general public?

[michigancat]

When making companies more efficient, CEOs have to make decisions that are unpopular with many employees.  When those employees have a vote each, unpopular decisions don't get ppl re-elected. 

I think this is valid. They also have to deal with what is kind of similar to a 535 person board of directors to get anything done. Like I hinted at, I don't think a CEO could make a good leader of the executive branch under our current system of government. And apparently our election system also makes it impossible for the best person to get elected to our highest office. Hmmm.

[michigancat]

Why would anyone who already is in a position to get a very good job based upon their merits spend 2-3 years of their life campaigning for a job that essentially comes down to the whims of the general public?

Because they would have the means to do so and have a deep, genuine desire to make the United States a better place?

[Benja]

The problem is what running a successful campaign requires

Elaborate

Like taking money for unethical reasons from rich people and corporations who later want favors. I realize that there may not be any better way to do it, and money in politics may be inevitable, but it still is a flawed system.

[Benja]

Why would anyone who already is in a position to get a very good job based upon their merits spend 2-3 years of their life campaigning for a job that essentially comes down to the whims of the general public?

Because they would have the means to do so and have a deep, genuine desire to make the United States a better place?

I just think that the odds that you genuinely care about people and making america better and are not a sociopath, and also are willing to do what it takes to become president are probably pretty low. I mean, it's probably happened but the odds are low.

[Rage Against the McKee]

Why would anyone who already is in a position to get a very good job based upon their merits spend 2-3 years of their life campaigning for a job that essentially comes down to the whims of the general public?

Because they would have the means to do so and have a deep, genuine desire to make the United States a better place?

They also have the means to be CEO of a fortune 500 company and they can just wake up tomorrow and go do that. If POTUS were a position that you could just interview for, I think you would see more CEO types interested. No normal person would look at what is required in running a successful campaign and decide that they want to do that.

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

When making companies more efficient, CEOs have to make decisions that are unpopular with many employees.  When those employees have a vote each, unpopular decisions don't get ppl re-elected. 

I think this is valid. They also have to deal with what is kind of similar to a 535 person board of directors to get anything done. Like I hinted at, I don't think a CEO could make a good leader of the executive branch under our current system of government. And apparently our election system also makes it impossible for the best person to get elected to our highest office. Hmmm.

The president is CEO of the executive branch. He doesn't need approval of the 535 members of Congress to make massive changes to the executive (i.e. bureaucracy). That'd be a good start in and of itself.

[Benja]

Mitt Romney was almost president. Think about that.

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

When making companies more efficient, CEOs have to make decisions that are unpopular with many employees.  When those employees have a vote each, unpopular decisions don't get ppl re-elected.

The whole "re-elected" thing seems to be a big part of the problem. What would you say was the last successful, productive second term? Reagan? Clinton, GWB, and Obama are/were trainwrecks. JFC, look at Obama's second term. Aside from his threats to unconstitutionally usurp the power of the legislature, the guy's already a lame duck. Four more wasted years, and another 4 trillion or so added to the national debt without any change in fiscal policy.

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

Mitt Romney was almost president. Think about that.

A Mitt Romney first term might have actually had a prayer of accomplishing something, as opposed to re-electing Obama to 4 years of lame duck status. Think about that.

[michigancat]

Why would anyone who already is in a position to get a very good job based upon their merits spend 2-3 years of their life campaigning for a job that essentially comes down to the whims of the general public?

Because they would have the means to do so and have a deep, genuine desire to make the United States a better place?

I just think that the odds that you genuinely care about people and making america better and are not a sociopath, and also are willing to do what it takes to become president are probably pretty low. I mean, it's probably happened but the odds are low.

A CEO theoretically wouldn't need to take money from corporations. Although I do chuckle at the idea of Charles Koch having a moral objection with dirty politics and special interests. (I know you weren't necessarily referring to him, but still).

Why would anyone who already is in a position to get a very good job based upon their merits spend 2-3 years of their life campaigning for a job that essentially comes down to the whims of the general public?

Because they would have the means to do so and have a deep, genuine desire to make the United States a better place?

They also have the means to be CEO of a fortune 500 company and they can just wake up tomorrow and go do that. If POTUS were a position that you could just interview for, I think you would see more CEO types interested. No normal person would look at what is required in running a successful campaign and decide that they want to do that.

I don't think a "normal person" would be a very good president, (or CEO, for that matter). And you still seem to miss my point - I think a president should care enough about the constituents to make the effort to run a campaign. If they'd rather wake up and run a fortune 500 company, they probably wouldn't care enough to make a good president.

[Benja]

Mitt Romney was almost president. Think about that.

A Mitt Romney first term might have actually had a prayer of accomplishing something, as opposed to re-electing Obama to 4 years of lame duck status. Think about that.

I don't even really care about that. Just the fact that that was the best they could come up with is incredible.

['taterblast]

LHC Bill Snyder

[Benja]

Like, I have some friends that probably could have beaten out obama in that election. But of course they are normal people and would never want to be president.

[Rage Against the McKee]

Like, I have some friends that probably could have beaten out obama in that election. But of course they are normal people and would never want to be president.

No normal person would ever be able to win the republican primary in today's political climate.

[Cartierfor3]

Who was the last "normal" guy who had a shot at being president? I guess Clinton was relatively normal but the Repubs and Dems since then have been complete weirdos:

W Bush (lol)
Gore (lol)
Kerry (double lol)
McCain (1/2 normal half lol)
Obama (seems kinda normal? drank a bud light at Bryant's, but still mostly weird. lol)
Romney (lol Xs 100)