The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[Nephythys]

Don't you think they should govern something before considering running?

[Prudence]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

Don't you think they should govern something before considering running?

Nope. I think they should have appropriate experience for the job, which can be obtained through other political service, but can also be obtained through other avenues. I don't think there's a magic formula. Should candidates have to be a senator first? How many terms? Should they have to have been a governor? What about a 20-year member of the House of Representatives? At the state level, we've seen candidates from the Land of Business who are lauded for their success in the business world AND their lack of "contamination" from conventional political roles.

Heck, I think that philosophy applies to any job. There's rarely only one way to acquire the necessary skills and connection. If 1/2-term senator A can name that tune in 3 notes and 2-term governor B needs 5 notes, then senator A wins my game of Name that Tune.

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

Don't you think they should govern something before considering running?

Like, for instance, the Screen Actors' Guild.

If you're looking at executive experience, Gore is obviously the most qualified. You can say most Veeps don't have real power, but Gore was more involved in things than Bush Sr. (or George Bosh, as Reagan called him at the 1988 convention). Further, if kind of being around while the president makes decisions qualifies as experience, Hillary is the second most qualified. This is probably why voters feel comfortable voting for the wives of dead politicians (The Widows Bono, Carnahan, etc.) And let's not forget Edith Wilson, who really ran the show for a while.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

Like, for instance, the Screen Actors' Guild.

He did have a slightly more substantial political office before running for president.

I don't think that extensive political office experience is vital but I think lacking it is a hurdle to be overcome, at least a small one. He's going to have to rely more on political machine makers, party officials, and career bureaucrats to get himself there. More so than someone who has been intricately involved in it for decades.