This is excluding Truman, Nixon, and Lincoln. I don't know of that many presidents who came from common people.
2006-06-21 05:18:23 · 20 answers · asked by unseenmatter 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
no, but it is getting harder. bill clinton grew up in a single parent household in little rock, arkansas. he was in a low income neighborhood as a childhood. senator fulbright in arkansas at the time had the fulbright scholarship which he awarded to clinton. clinton then went to oxford in england for college for free where he meet hilary clinton. he ran for local office then governor. he was so effective as governor that he ran for president and won. so it can be done but is getting harder with all the nastiness and namecalling going on in politics.
2006-06-21 07:21:57 · answer #1 · answered by david c 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It helps, especially now that it takes millions of dollars to run for president. A lot of the first presidents may have come from "rich" families or made themselves rich, but they were all within a generation of being a common person. They were not far removed like we have now where the people in power have been so far removed from the common person that they don't understand them.
2006-06-21 05:22:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at all, I actually think it would benefit the person if they didn't come from a rich family. If you made all of the money and connections yourself it would show that you were a hard working person with lots of determination. No doubt there lots money involved in campaigning for president, but I think that you do not have to be from a rich family to do so.
2006-06-21 06:18:58 · answer #3 · answered by theduckf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is true that it almost seems that way, doesn't it. But, truthfully, there is no clause saying that one must be rich in order to become president. Realistically, there have not been that many presidents who have not come from wealthy backgrounds. But, as i said, there is no requirement saying that "one must be from a rich family to be President of the United States."
2006-06-21 05:24:26 · answer #4 · answered by pilotmanitalia 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You yourself do not have to be rich, although it helps! You just need to know the people who are or sell your soul to the lobbyists. If you push ,ala GWB ,for the oil people and the tax cuts for the rich, you may not go in rich, but you can come out that way. Sorry I'm a"Liberal Cynic". That's a new definition,a new category if you like.
2006-06-21 05:25:10 · answer #5 · answered by olderandwiser 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anyone can be President, but not necessarily from a rich family. Some were born poor and become our nation's chief executive by the time they become rich.
2006-06-21 05:24:00 · answer #6 · answered by brian 2010 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bill Clinton was hardly rich when he ran, or from any kind of rich family. He is now, but that's due to book sales and speaking engagements after the Presidency.
2006-06-21 05:20:57 · answer #7 · answered by Thom Thumb 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In current times, I would think you have to be rich to have any kind of clout to be taken seriously in washinton.. and you get rich by taking bribes or being from a wealthy family. Being rich is a sign of success and leadership abilities.. stupid people don't get rich. Simple as that. unless you are paris hilton.. and I don't think she has a chance at being prez in my next 100 lifetimes.
2006-06-21 05:23:09 · answer #8 · answered by lost_but_not_hopeless 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the day and age we live in, yes. In theory no. The government is moving away from public campaigns and more into campaigns where the biggest donor is the actual candidate.
2006-06-21 05:22:20 · answer #9 · answered by BeachBABE 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No I don't think that you have to be rich but it helps. If your not you have to be really good at getting connections and stuff like that!!!
2006-06-21 05:21:14 · answer #10 · answered by basbl_fan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋