Presidential Job Description

[HKCavalier]

Say you were in charge of interviewing all applicants for the job of President of the United States of America (and if you are a U.S. citizen above the age of 17, you are). What would you look for in an applicant? What would you need to see in their resume? What would you never want to see in it?

I feel the need to focus on the very basics, this year. I want a President who will uphold the Constitution of this country. Recent applicants have shown little respect for it. So an exceptional working knowledge of that document would be number one on my list. A working knowledge of the history of any threats to that document, foreign and domestic, are key. Also, knowledge of the workings of the other two branches of the Federal Government; knowledge of legislative history, major and minor Supreme Court decisions, political philosophy, economic theory, foreign culture and jurisprudence with a focus on English legal history in particular (extra credit for the candidate that can discuss the influences of Native American government on the founding fathers). I'm not looking for an expert, just some working knowledge.

Personality-wise, first and foremost, in addition to this knowledge base, I would like to see a candidate who shows genuine interest, even excitement for these topics. I want to see a President who has a passion for our Constitution at least as fervant as my own. For instance, though we may quibble about the details in applying the 2nd Amendment, I want him or her to be able to tell me why the Founders placed it second only to speech as the most essential freedom of our Republic.

What about you? What do you look for in the guy or gal applying for President of the United States?

[BlindMessiah]

Lawyer and businessman turned Mayor/Governor/Senator is a good start. I think it'd be tough for one man to understand law, economy, and foreign policy. I personally feel the first two are more important.

[Splodgenessabounds]

Wouldn't mind them having a Nobel Peace Prize, then they won't go to war unless absolutely necessary.

Edited October 4, 2008 by Splodgenessabounds

[questionmark]

The ability to communicate clearly and capable of formulating thoughts would be my first priority. The rest can be learned.

[Splodgenessabounds]

Lawyer and businessman turned Mayor/Governor/Senator is a good start. I think it'd be tough for one man to understand law, economy, and foreign policy. I personally feel the first two are more important.

Yeah but Tony Blair was a lawyer, and he didn't do very well as PM of Great Britain.

[Guardsman Bass]

Are we talking ideal candidates, here, that may not exist in reality but could theoretically exist? If so, then here are my qualifications:

1. This person must have been an effective governor of a large, highly diverse state that frequently involves and is involved in various international issues like trade, climate, and so forth. New York, California, Massachusetts, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and the like come to mind. This is because in these types of states, a Governor really does have to deal with a microcosm of the United States as a whole, with voters ranging from rural to urbanized, diverse economic activity, natural resource issues, and connections to international trade. Several of our best (or at least most prominent) Presidents have come from this position, such as FDR and Ronald Reagan. The case of George W. Bush might be called an exception to this rule, but keep in mind that in Texas the Governor's position is relatively weak; a considerable amount of power exists in the Lieutenant-Governor position. "Effective", in this regard, means that they generally addressed the key issues for that state, were good at promoting economic policy and working to keep the state solvent, and managed to get results without being bogged down in cronyism or repeated ethics violations.

2. This person must support the key issues. These include the creation of universal health care, a strong national defense and diplomatic policy, a solid support network, professionalism in government (I didn't say "efficiency" because I think that the most important part of a government department is that it does its job) and bureaucracy, strong support of nuclear power and other alternative energy, and a promoter of infrastructure reconstruction. In addition to that, he/she must be able to understand these issues enough to ask good questions of their advisers and pick the right kinds of advisers for those positions, and to formulate a grand strategy for action with the help and assistance of these experts. They don't need to have a specialist's knowledge on an issue, but they do need to know enough to help shape action and ask questions.

3. This person must have shown good judgment at different times. This is almost a summation of the above, but it matters that a potential President have the ability to make good decisions throughout the career - decisions based on solid fact, a pragmatic consideration of what can and can't be done, and solid goals to aim towards that don't get dimmed by the personal possession of power.

4. This person must have the right personality. Ambitious and pragmatic is acceptable (and arguably good, since unambitious politicians don't usually win office), but not someone with a penchant towards paranoia or cronyism. They must have a sense of stoicism, and a sense of unshakable duty to the country and its people. They must also be optimistic in nature, although that optimism must be tempered with a strong dose of reality. He/she must also possess a sense of humor - sometimes, the world and humanity just make mistakes, stupid mistakes, and you have to accept that.

5. This person must be able to negotiate effectively with the Legislature of their state and later the US. LBJ was a master at this; he had been a highly skilled Senate Majority Leader, and when President he was highly effective at lobbying Congress for his legislation.

6. This person ought to have a solid record of accomplishments as Governor, in the context of the circumstances.

[fylgja]

Intelligence is something our presidential office has been lacking for quite some time now. Let's get some of that!

Here's a great way to judge: if he reminds you of one of your college drinking/pot smoking buddies, do not elect him/her.

[SoCrazes]

Intelligence is something our presidential office has been lacking for quite some time now. Let's get some of that!

Here's a great way to judge: if he reminds you of one of your college drinking/pot smoking buddies, do not elect him/her.

C'mon, the ideal leader of the U.S.? If everyone of voting age voted it would be a WWF "hero" (sorry jessie) or a movie star.

Serously, I'd have to say someone that is a patriot (John McCain maybe?). Someone that is in touch with the average person (Palin maybe?). Someone that will make positive changes for the middle class (Obama maybe?). Someone that will obey the supreme law of the land (Dr. Ron Paul - definitely). Where do you want your eggs, in a "maybe basket" or a "definitely basket?"

[MasterPo]

Business experience definately, either as an owner or at least fairly high manager.

Some prior government experience would be helpful (Truman said of Eisenhower: "Poor Ike. He's used to the military life where you give an order and it's done. In government you give an order and maybe it will done!" - or something similar).

Some military experience is also a good PLUS.

A college degree in something useful (not "Folklore" or "Marine Biology"). A Masters level degree would be good too. A doctorate isn't necessary but a PLUS.

Detailed legal knowledge isn't a biggie to me. That's why there's an AG.

Good verbal skills.

A good appearance (yea, important these days).

The rest IMO comes down to the details of what he or she says they will do and how they say they plan to do it.

There's probably more but I've been up since 5am and am too tired to think of them.

[+Sherapy]

I would want them to be able to think critically. in other words have a critical awareness....I'd want them to be forward thinking and see things as a whole....I'd want them to espouse the ideas that they adhere to in word and deed...I'd want them to be able to get along with others and have a college degree at the very least and not in media and broadcasting.lol ...I'd want them to be humanitarian and available to get to know without the influence of the media..

I'd want them to be accountable to the people for their actions instead of the lobbiests..I'd want them to be fair without out infringing on the freedoms of another, I think the most important skill is the abitlty to get along and an understanding of diversity and the ability to create win win situations for all involved few to date have managed ....

Edited October 6, 2008 by Tangerine Sheri

[louie]

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e80_1223302815

this isnt what im looking for.

[Leonardo]

Business experience definately, either as an owner or at least fairly high manager.

Actually, I disagree with this as an attribute that would be necessary, or even desirable, in the job description. Government is not a business and has no business trying to operate as one. Leadership skills that might apply in business do not naturally lend themselves to politics or governing.

The electorate are not 'customers'.

[ravergirl]

Be a competent liar.

[Incorrigible1]

I swoon for advanced community organizational skills........................

[The Silver Thong]

Basicly everything that Bush is not !! with these responses how did George win the second election??

Come on you guys, you know someone was going to say it

[IrishAidan07]

An honest person - no matter what it might cost him or her. I want them to be honest - plain and simple.

From there, everything else can be achieved.

[MasterPo]

Actually, I disagree with this as an attribute that would be necessary, or even desirable, in the job description. Government is not a business and has no business trying to operate as one. Leadership skills that might apply in business do not naturally lend themselves to politics or governing.

The electorate are not 'customers'.

Theoretically, I agree.

However, as a manager or executive you have to be able to organize people, deal with budgets and dead-lines, and most importantly be accountable to someone (your boss and/or owners/shareholders) if you fail.

That's one of my biggest faults with Obama. He's never been in a position of accountability. Nothing where if he fails or comes in late or over budget etc. he gets fired or at least demoted or some other drastic penalty.

[little_dreamer]

The problem is that the position gives one person so much power. A normal, well-adjusted person most likely would not want the job.

You have to have delusions of grandeur to even think about becoming president.

[MasterPo]

The problem is that the position gives one person so much power. A normal, well-adjusted person most likely would not want the job.

You have to have delusions of grandeur to even think about becoming president.

That's why we have a 3-legged system for checks&balances.

Problem arises when 2 of the 3 legs work together to undermine the system!