What kind of, and how much, experience do you think a presidential candidate should have?

Question

I keep reading that this one or that one "does not have enough experience". No one can possibly know what it is like to be president until he/she becomes one. What would it take to prepare oneself? Wouldn't honesty and integrity be enough? (Though you wouldn't find a "politician" with either, I'm afraid.) How about intelligence?

Answer 1

A DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE. AND MUST BE A GRADUATE WITH VERY GOOD KNOWLEDGE IN ECONOMICS AND BALANCING THE BUDGET.

Answer 2

First of all, military service. The President is actually at the top of the Chain of Command in every branch of the armed forces. Yes, the Pentagon advises and briefs the President but the final decision on any military action rests with him. Therefore, I think the president should have served in the military. This way, when he is briefed by the Pentagon it will make some type of sense to him
Honesty and integrity are important as well. As a voter, I am interested in the truth even when it hurts. I don't like sugar coating or evasive answers.
As for intelligence, I really don't care if the President is "book smart". After all, books do not cover every situation. Common sense, or street smarts, are a must. Sometimes there is not time to do research so a decision must be made immediately (thinking on ones feet).
I would like to see a common man (or woman if she can do it) as President. Not necessarily someone with a degree from Harvard or someone who came from money but an ordinary individual who may have been a cop, mail carrier, or a construction worker. People like this would have an understanding of the common people and the important issues in their lives.

Answer 3

I used to think that experience was very important -- that having a "rookie" in the White House was a potential disaster.

I don't feel that way any more. Now I don't care how much or how little experience they have. I am much more focused on something in particular.

I want a candidate who has been studying constitutional law a great deal. Indeed, I think that, for a change, it would be fascinating to appoint someone who's only background was in law, particularly as a judge. I think it would be neat to see someone who is currently serving as Chief Judge on some state Supreme Court resign from that post by the end of this year and announce that they are running for President. If such a candidate could address the issue of constitutional interpretation in the way I see is the problem, then I would change my mind about not voting ever again. I would support that person.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AmMw9x3DOqdoPlmDb0OnlXXsy6IX?qid=20060806183105AAoLAcf&show=7#profile-info-AA11279082

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ai3mFZFA8yIANxGL9oedAEvsy6IX?qid=20061028142702AA0DKiw&show=7#profile-info-810fa07f3ab9ee48bda6a03a681a5858aa

A presidential candidate that I'd vote for would talk a great deal about Hugo L. Black.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkVZYcDl.zTriszMuuSI2pnsy6IX?qid=20061016184523AAHGxwU&show=7#profile-info-AA11107235
.

Answer 4

Good question, and sadly few Americans ask this from the right direction. What has been missing for a very long time is a president who has experienced what the average American experiences in day to day life. A man/woman who has never gone without, been homeless, had to wait until a medical condition gets so bad that the hospital can't just stablize and send you packing, had to eat less to ensure children got enough, put off bills until you get the threatening letters, been laid off or fired without cause,...and the list goes on, cannot even begin to address the problems of the average American. As long as we fool ourselves into believing that only a wealthy and powerful person can run our country, we will continue to get wealthy and powerful people who run our country into the ground. To coin a phrase, " What intelligent person spends hundreds of millions of their own dollars to get elected to a job that pays $200,000 a year unless they intend to steal back every cent plus interest".

Answer 5

I think the President should have life experience in the real world rather than a life of political experience. International business perhaps - just so long he doesn't maintain loyalties to companies after he takes office.

Military experience is good so that hopefully they don't rush to war because they have been there. I think that highly ranked generals and stuff shouldn't be considered by Americans. The military industrial complex cannot be trusted.

Answer 6

first off we don't need any more career politicians that is the problem

there is nothing better than some rich j a ck a ss from Mass. telling me how he knows how I feel.
Silver spoon people that have never had a real job,worried about a paycheck, insurance,house payment, food, or many others. Have not one clue about how Americans go about their day to day. Why we continue to elect these people is beyond me. But then we are forced to chose from the 2 parties crap because if you are not a rep or dem then you don't get the automatic millions for your campaign. Be careful when you use the word Intelligence next to government

Answer 7

Almost none the main thing you need to want to serve the people for the best of the nation,you need to be able to speak to the people and have them understand you,that is not to lecture or talk down to them.You must be able to get good honest people around you.and listen to them,but always never forget the common folks that put you there,you must not get pig headed about things,and be able to change if need be.Your main job is to protect them from harm,so you would close the borders,You must free them of to much regulations and taxes,The controls should be more on government,You will stop the world police and (((let)))industry grow here ,not out source,if they did that they would be less American so they would get no protection--With less taxes and less regulation every thing would be 100% better--government must get smaller be it fed,state or town.Sounds like Ron Reagan

Answer 8

As with any job, you want to hire the person with the best credentials. Honesty and integrity might be a huge improvement, but there are people with those traits as well as experience in management, government, negotiations, etc.

Answer 9

I think experience in terms of insight from history and foresight for the future is much more important than "hands on" experience. Intelligence definitely helps, but the willingness to listen to other intelligent people's advice is just as important.

Answer 10

Experience is not needed for a good president. Sincerity to serve the country is the main factor for a better president.

Answer 11

That's hard to determine. Nixon had great qualifications and look what happend to him.
Truman had none, he was a haberdasher, and look what he did.
Regan was an actor and rated #1 as best pres.
Character seems to tell the story in the end....