How much should a candidate want to become president? Is there such thing as too much or too little?

Question

Hillary Clinton has been criticized for doing whatever it takes to become president. Fred Thompson has been criticized for acting as if he does not want the presidency enough. Am I missing anything here?

Should a presidential candidate do anything in his or her power to run for office, or should that person show disdain for the indignities of the campaign trail? Is there some kind of medium between the two extremes?

Or is this talk about "wanting the presidency" just a lot of hot air about nothing?

Answer 1

might come down to why they want to win.. If they want to win for the sake of winning and not to better things.. Do we really want them to do what ever it takes.?


Also, no matter how they are people will find fault in it. Too much or not enough,, no matter which, they will find a reason to question it..

Answer 2

Several cycles ago (when the race was somewhat shorter), a presidential campaign was described as a marathon. There are certain things that you have to be willing to do (including such indignities as calling people who can contribute $2,000.00 and who can get other folks to contribute as well) to make it to the end. The allegation against Fred Thompson is that he doesn't have enough desire to be President to force himself to do those ugly necessities.

On the other hand, there is the concern about candidates who would rather be President than be right. While we want politicians to be willing to have some flexibility and respond to changed circumstances, we don't necessarily want someone who will do a 180 on positions just because of a slight shift in polling data.

What most people want is a person running for President because they have an idea of what needs to be done and are willing to fight to get it done. A person with too much desire to be President doesn't stand for anything. A person with too little desire won't fight for anything.

Of course, political opponents are willing to blow smoke about this issue to disrupt their opponents campaigns. If the candidate does not want to be president enough, why should you give your money to that candidate when they could drop out at the first bit of bad news. If the candidate wants to be president too much, why should you believe what they are telling you. In both cases, the other candidates want you to draw the logical conclusion and decide that your money, time, loyalty, and vote should not go to the candidate being accused but instead to someone else.

Answer 3

Neither of your examples will win the nomination or become president, however it doesn't matter how eager or not a candidate is; its whether or not you can seriously look at them and say,

"I trust that person with my life, I really do."

Can you look at Rodham and feel such trust? Can you look at Thompson, Giuliani, or even Romney - and feel such trust? I am betting you can not feel such trust with these folks, and that should answer part of your question.

Take care.

Answer 4

I think a candidate can have personal motives, but up there should be a desire to "serve the nation".

I don't see that in Hillary Clinton. I think she has only personal ambition.