Is it possible to have an American politician who can unite the majority of voters?

Question

For many years, candidates for President have been very polarizing. This has not led to good results IMHO.

Do you think it's even remotely feasible that there could exist a candidate who can unite the majority of voters and not be such a polarizing figure, i.e. not be viciously attacked by his/her opponents? A figure who can unite the country behind his/her policies so we can get back on the right track?

I am truly meaning to be apolitical here and would appreciate the same in your responses. Thanks!

Apparently, based on Shibboleth's response, we can't even answer a question without attacking the other side.

Answer 1

Sure. If he were honest. The blew away the last one like that.

Answer 2

In my opinon a politcal figure who will unite the nation and end the increasing polorization will be one person who is not in the middle of the burecracy, an outsider who has more loyalty to his/her cause than to his/her 1. getting elected 2. getting power 3. getting money.

There are two ways that i can see this happening. The first is a rather large, diasterous thing that unites everyone, such as 9/11 times three or pearl harbor and a resulting war for the very survial of our country. Since this is highly unlikey to happen and if it does happen that is is just as likely that our nation will become a dictorship than it will stand up for itself, the second way is that there is an issue that an outside person will be a spokesperson for. Such an example might be Martin Luther King Jr or Gandi. THis person will be over all publicly non partisan, except for their stance on this issue. Personally I think that the closest person we have to this other slightl less extremly unlikely senario is Al Gore and his recent actions on global warming.

But overall i my opionon the poloarization of Amercia will continue until the two sides become so different a civil war type thing starts. This will not happen for a very long time.

Answer 3

I think it is possible. A large part of it is going to be the conditions in the nation and or the world that that leader is going to have to react to. FDR for example dealt with both the depression and the WWII. Both conditions caused the majority to forget some of the other issues that were dividing them and come together in hopes of reaching a solution to benefit the nation. For a short period even George W had the support of the nation after 911. Unfortunately his perception of continued threat and the national perception were not the same and his ability to provide leadership has all but disappeared. Charisma is going to be another important factor. Television will play an important role in that and making the candidate seem "palatable" to the American public. The problem will be that extremists will still exist in the minority either left or right and they will continually assail the leadership because their particular fictionalized viewpoint will not be represented. That will never disappear and seems to grow as the population and cultural diversity grows.

Answer 4

Depends.
Most people want platitudes, soothing noises, I'm ok-you're ok-we're just fine -everything's allright redemptive emotional speeches.
The citizenry who actually demand action, intelligent approaches to problems which can only be solved by long term solutions are very buried underneath those who want to feel good and demand the quick and the right now solutions.
So- an American politician who can do that has to be a charlatan or a charismatic leader who can make people feel good and accomplish nothing or the run of the mill politician who will realistically gather as many good people to help him or her run the policy making machine, gather collaborations, pre empt some difficult solutions, and sadly also face the wrrath of the same people they choose to serve in the best way they can.
The short answer to this long drawn musing is a loud resounding "maybe". Nothing is impossible.

Answer 5

With the country in the state its in right now it is going to be hard for someone to bring a major unity. He or she would need to be able to promote world peace to establish that kind of gathering.The best to hope for in the next election is a candidate that truly will resolve the major issues ,such as health care our commitment in foreign countries, the nations debt and the energy crisis. If there is someone that can accomplish those tasks, then that is a politician who will unite the majority of voters

Answer 6

I don't know. I'd love to believe it IS feasible. But we have watched politicians promise us anything, and betray those promises too many times. It seems that everything is about PRESENTATION, getting the best SPIN in their debates, and the most money for backing. How can I trust someone who makes more money from campaigning than I do in a lifetime, and watch them spend it ALL in a matter of months, just for commercialization, and the votes from lobbyists they've promised to side with. Do I trust such a person with MY money and future? The entire campaign process seems to have become one long expensive commercial ad these days.

Since I still choose to have faith in the future of my country. I would love to believe that there is someone out there, that could bring the masses of indifference, and diversity together somehow. If an entire country can rally behind one horse named Sea Biscuit, just think what we could accomplish with such an honest, everyday president, whose wisdom and love of his country would be his utmost valor of honor. I hope I'm still alive to share in that day! I know, it's remote, maybe, but a girl can still dream, can't she?

Answer 7

People are just to fickle not to be polorized..Every little wind of discontent causes them to have a mind change. Even families can't agree on the simplist of things.. Few people know squat about the workings of the fed-state or county goverments..They listen to and believe the first loud political malcontent they hear. Politics and religion are a lot the same, Can religion not be polorized..? Oh, remember what a low down worthless dog,, JFK was before he was murdered? Afterward everyone loved him..Its not the man, the president that causes polorization,,its the propaganda and news media.

Answer 8

Sadly, at our current state it doesn't seem feasible. The problem is that politics are dominated by money. In fact you need AT LEAST 350 MILLION DOLLARS just to be able to be taken seriously. When these politicians take this money in campaigning they usually have to tend towards one side of the other. In other words they have to play the extreme Democrat of extreme Republican just until they are on the televisions and in peoples homes. Then they can move towards uniting the different factions of American politics. So don't worry that everybody is either on one side or the other. There are people out there who want to unite the two groups, but unfortunately they first must make their money in the process that I stated.

Answer 9

I do not think it is possible for any politician to get along with another with all the issues because of all the promises they give there supporters. I have seen Republicans in charge and Democrats in charge and to tell you the truth This House and Senit have had more problems than ever before getting along. I think alot of politicians have forgotten what they are there for and become puppets of the special interest groups. When you say his/her does that mean you would vote for a woman President?

Answer 10

We can't agree on what TV show is worth watching! We can't agree on style, child rearing, religion, food, pet or weather preference, or anything else! What on earth would give you the idea that we could agree on a single personality and their value?
I think your idea is wonderful. So are many others which have never been able to be realized. I do think that working diligently to reduce any division by party, race, gender or social standing is important and will achieve some degree of success over time. But good luck getting a group to agree on how to achieve this relatively simple goal.

Answer 11

I doubt it. America doesn't want unity because controversy gives them ratings, and we're a television washed nation.


Read and think about the answers to these questions. May we achieve peace? No. they blame and blame. Instead of blaming we can ignore the finger and do what is right, but no... Can't do that when American Idol and Jon Stuart is on.