Can a middle income teacher from USA ever become president?

Question

Just curious if you can only become president if you or your family are wealthy. I can think of really fine people who would make a great president. Am I misinformed?

Answer 1

Woodrow Wilson was a schoolteacher wasn't he? You have to have a certain aptitude for politics. The money for their campaigns is donated from people who belive they are a good candidate for election. The only requirements to run for president are that you are born in the US and 35 years of age. It doesn't hurt to be wealthy and have wealthy friends though.

Answer 2

It's possible, but it won't happen overnight. In small towns, teachers sometimes get involved in politics. But it's up to that person to move themself up the chain, and at some point they'd have to give up the teaching job to focus on politics full time. Then they can get all the friends and money that the other people here have listed. I don't think a lot of average people would make a good president, to be honest, because we don't know the inner workings of the government that can only be acquired through years of hard work in politics. But sometimes I think I'd be willing to chance it!!!!

Answer 3

Realistically, no. I doubt we ever see another president that comes from the "people" of this country. These days you have to be among the social elite to have a chance. You need big money, powerful friends behind you, and the Democratic or Republican party to back you. I don't agree with this, but sadly it's what politics in our country has become.

Answer 4

Technically: yes a school teacher could become president as long as he/she is 35 years old and has been a citizen for at least 14 years.
Practically: Not likely. Politicians tend to come from the upper crust because they can afford to campaign.

Answer 5

Actually, personal fame and acclaim are enough to do it. Of course, wealth generally comes with these, but not always. Take Schwarzeneggar in California... he gained wealth along with fame, but fame alone might have been enough to see him elected governor. Many famous athletes, actors, coaches, and military personnel have taken this route, but like I said, they gained wealth along with fame (usually).

So how would a middle income teacher gain enough name recognition to be electable? They would have to do something to capture the public's eye and hold it. Enormous acts of charity or heroism (think Mother Teresa), a natural charisma, and a politically savvy mindset would all be must haves. Then they would have to resonate well with one of the two parties such that they would have an obvious following. And they would need to be clearly trustworthy.

Not an easy recipe to follow, but it isn't beyond the realm of possibility, either.

Answer 6

Unless things change dramatically, anyone running for President of the United States must have the backing of the largest and wealthiest corporations to have any chance of being heard, let alone winning.

The corporations own the media and finance the elections.

Hard to really call that democracy, now isn't it?

Answer 7

Probably not,it has,for most part, been that way since civilization felt the need for some central power to regulate everybodies life(no matter what economic theory's, communism ,capitalism etc..).There are exceptions, you know, the Hitler types,who were born into poverty but loaded with charisma who weaseled their way into power.Even if there was a revolution in U.S, we would still be stuck with some rich dullard or heavy handed barbarian as ruler.Sorry libs! no Utopia..

Answer 8

Yes. Bill Clinton's family did not have money--he truly lived the American dream. Poor boy from Arkansas that made it to Yale and Oxford and then onto the Presidency.

Answer 9

Money is power. In this day and age, it's the wealthy who hold the high political offices. Lincoln was an exception. That's life.

Answer 10

No your not misinformed. Your just not wealthy. Sadly money is the American royalty. Either you have it or you don't.