As Hersh said before, what job (or length in a current one, i.e.-House or Senate) prepares one for the the Presidency? Me personally, I don't like a career politician in a high office. To me, that means they've grown to love the power, wealth and prestige that goes along with it.

You mentioned that Senators don't really have a grasp on the real world. Do you think House members do? How about governors of all of our states? Based on the laws passed here in TN (and elsewhere I'm sure), I sometimes wonder if the US Congress and State Congresses are working for me, or for themselves.

Length of service /= Fitness for position.

 

This is true...

Jack Kennedy hadn't been in politics long, Reagan was a Governor (Is that spelled right?), as was Bush. (Bush's governorship (Man, that doesn't seem to be spelled right) meant even less than Reagan's because in Texas, the most gubernatorial power lies with the Lt. Governor). This is kinda like the mayor of Dallas. Some power, but the true power lies with the City Manager, not the mayor. Jimmy Carter, Eisenhower, etc... Of all those, I'd say the only one with a lot of tough decision making experience was Eisenhower, but you don't necessarily want a life-long military man as the Commander-in-Cheif (Checks & Balance). Some military experience, yes- not a career Soldier.

I liked Colin Powell too, but I don't think the country was ready in 1992. I don't think it's ready now. If it happens it happens, but personally, I'd be scared for them. You see what happened to MLK and Malcolm-X.

If Barak Obama ran, I can't say I'd vote for him. I know of him, but not a LOT about him. I'm gonna wait & see what happens. But, if that amendment does get repealed, I hope Bill Clinton runs again... I would vote for him.

Guys, I hope I am wrong about a black president in our lifetimes. I'm 37, so we'll see. But, I'd have to see it to believe it. The racial dynamics are changing, that is true- but it's going to me majority Hispanic. I think we have a better chance at a Latino President more than we do a black one.

 

I would rather not see any ony one from congress in the White House. I tend to believe that govenors, and others that have held state and local positions, are better suited to the position because they have to deal with situations on a more "real time" basis. Senators are accustom to debate, debate, and more debate. In the current climate, taking too much time to "debate" could get thousands of people killed. It could.

It's this and the lack of experiance that make me think that Obama isn't suited for the White House. Yet anyhow.

Experiance does matter. I got my journymans licence when I had just four years in this trade. I got my masters licence after twelve. I've been doing this trade for fifteen years now and I know a lot more now than I did when I became a journyman. It's practicle experiance, and I think that it's something that we should look for in some one seeking to become our president. We should expect a detailed resume, if they are claiming to have what it takes.

 

Hersh - As the hispanic community expands at an alarming rate, do you think the african american community and hispanic community can come together to make a change in Washington (in our lifetime)?

I don't care if the man or woman is purple with a horn sticking out of the side of their head, if they can get the job done that's cool with me.

 

Requirements to be the man are: 35 years old, natural born citizen and lived on US soil for 14 years. The unwritten requirements: Have hundreds of millions of dollars to burn to run a decent champaign.

And your 100% right - we are a very racist & shallow country. Every one of us looks down on those not in our 'race'. Gonna be that way for many, many generations.

I doubt it, 75% of hispanics can't legally vote...

OH SNAP!

 

 

I can't think of virtually anything that our governor does atleast that would pass as expierence needed for a run at the presidency. Senators atleast have some foreign-policy expierence, and are more adept to handling issues related to national security, etc that your average governor would know virtually nothing about. If you don't agree, take a look at how much expierence our last governor-elected president brought to the table. I'd say Barak Obama's name is probably going to be his biggest up-hill battle to overcome if he has any shot in 2008. It's amazing how many folks on this site alone went ahead and assumed he is muslim.