What should we look for in selecting a President of the United States?

2016-05-07T11:27:22-04:00

There's a lot of debate going on about who is or who is not qualified to be President. What education, experience, and personal qualities do you feel are good indicators of a good candidate? If we survey those who have served, can we discover some criteria to guide us in our search or are we forever doomed to simplistic choices: (D) or (R), (M) or (F), (B) or (W)? Let's see if we can discuss this without attacking or defending any specific candidate in the current election

http://www.potus.com/

POTUS -- Presidents of the United States

Comprehensive site on the American presidency includes biographies, speeches and writings, election results, odd facts and presidency highlights.

Response by SPC Andrew Griffin made May 7 at 2016 11:31 AM

2016-05-07T11:31:06-04:00

I believe a combination of everything! I particularly would like POTUS to have a Military Background! Great Education! A heart of a Philantropist and atleast a reasonable amount of governmental experience!

Response by SFC Wade W. made May 7 at 2016 11:36 AM

2016-05-07T11:36:32-04:00

I don't believe it is possible to list the requirements except for these, patriotic and understands the limitations of the Federal Government. It seems to me that a lot of people running for office these days make a lot of promises to do things that are so far outside the realm of their area of responsibility. And, since much of citizenry don't understand it either, we fall for it and throw our hands in the air yelling encouragement for their empty promises.
I just want someone who is patriotic and truthful but I'm afraid if you have the money to run for president you are neither of those.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made May 7 at 2016 11:41 AM

2016-05-07T11:41:45-04:00

There doesn't seem to be a good template for determining just who would become a good president. My suggestion would be to look at the failures and use that as a means of deciding the potential of those interested in becoming the leader of the free nation and in fact the globe. Yes, there are differing opinions. But, the history books and recent history tells us the facts. I never like to say who is qualified, since the Constitution has already stated the qualifications. Ability to do the job, is the question.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 7 at 2016 11:49 AM

2016-05-07T11:49:54-04:00

Based on the most successful Presidents? Reluctance and self-doubt coupled with grit and hard work.

Response by Maj John Bell made May 7 at 2016 12:10 PM

2016-05-07T12:10:59-04:00

35 years of age, a resident "within the United States" for 14 years, and a "natural born Citizen," a term not defined in the Constitution

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made May 7 at 2016 12:22 PM

2016-05-07T12:22:27-04:00

Off hand I don't know. Bill Clinton and Obama have lowerd the bar .

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2016 12:51 PM

2016-05-07T12:51:36-04:00

Prior military service should be an absolute prerequisite. You cannot send the greatest military in the world to the farthest reaches of some distant shithole and not understand them or their intricacies. We are, and will probably remain a nation at war for a very long time. You cannot have someone at the helm who does not understand what it takes to be in the military. You also do not understand what it takes to willingly put your life on the line for something greater than yourself. This may not have been an issue previously, but in the coming decades, it is paramount. You have to understand the military you command, and the only way to understand it is by having been a part of it.

Response by MSgt John McGowan made May 7 at 2016 12:55 PM

2016-05-07T12:55:53-04:00

Capt Jack: Good question, probably bad answer. There has been some past Presidents that were just overwhelmed by the office. First comes to mind is Jimmy Carter, even if I am from Ga. Obama has the least amount of experience and it really showed at the beginning of his term. He was so un-presidential that he made a lot of mistakes. I for one think that Obama is a front man for a powerful group that is controlling his actions. To much money has been given out to unproven companies that went belly up in a short time. The auto bail-out was not a big success and Obama care isn't working but nothing changes. To much has happened in the past 7 years that has hurt our nation rather than nation building. Un-poplar new rules and decisions have been made against the people's wishs. Jimmy Carter let the Iran problem get out of hand and couldn't control the finances of the nation. As you probably re-call interest rates were sky high. To me that is the two worse right alone with LB Johnson. LBJ didn't even run again because of Vietnam. Presidents and SECD shouldn't be chosing targets in any armed action, Oking targets is fine. I have noticed most if not all have told what we need in a President, I went with, to me, explaining what I think is just some actions we do not need again. A President should lead the nation and listen to the majority and not decide with his advisors what we need. a lot of un-poplar decisions have been made and racial tension is higher now than in years. If this is a soapbox against Obama so be it.

Response by Capt Michael Greene made May 7 at 2016 2:16 PM

2016-05-07T14:16:12-04:00

In the current election, we have bad choices.

If only there were someone, unlike Hillary, who has a longstanding reputation for integrity.
And it would have to be someone, unlike Trump, who has a long record of dedicated public service.
If only we could find those two key traits in one person. What do you think?

Response by SPC Rory J. Mattheisen made May 7 at 2016 2:19 PM

2016-05-07T14:19:58-04:00

If you refuse to serve your country, you are disqualified.

Response by SGT Aaron Atwood made May 7 at 2016 2:28 PM

2016-05-07T14:28:58-04:00

I'm with SFC Williams on this. At this point I'd rather see someone step up who actually knows and understands what his/her role as the POTUS would be. Every candidate at this point has made nothing but promises that couldn't be lawfully and/or legally fulfilled unless we went from our current state as a mere shadow of what our Republic used to be to a full-fledged dictatorship. A big part of that problem is a great number of our citizens are asking for that dictatorship, and have been asking for it unwittingly. These tend to also be the same folks who think political parties genuinely look out for them vs the party's survival.

Response by Capt Adam Saxe made May 7 at 2016 4:33 PM

2016-05-07T16:33:50-04:00

I think we may confusing "qualifications" with "attributes." The qualifications are set in stone in Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution: Natural born citizen, 35 years old, and resident of the US for at least 14 years. That's it. Now, as for attributes (or qualities) . . . if one thinks that military service or being a devout Christian or having executive experience or (fill in the blank) is a prerequisite, that's all well and good . . . but it's only a prerequisite for his or her personal vote.

But, I do think are some attributes, qualities, or characteristics that most people could agree upon. Decency, integrity, compassion, grit, intelligence, leadership/management ability, a sense of national community . . . things along those lines.

Of course, everyone who responds to you are going to have more specific demands for the next POTUS. I just hope they understand that they don't have the right to impose their values on everyone else. They should exercise their values when they vote, but if--for example--Major Dave thinks being Christian is absolutely necessary or SFC Bob thinks business experience is a must and yet the majority of the country votes for someone who doesn't hold those attributes, they have to accept the results. And they shouldn't go around claiming that the new President is somehow "unqualified" or "illegitimate" just because he or she doesn't have the resume they personally would like.

Response by COL John McClellan made May 7 at 2016 4:43 PM

2016-05-07T16:43:57-04:00

Character. It's entirely about character... Leadership, intelligence, government experience, political savvy, people skills, ability to compromise and yet remain true to core principles, a steady hand and calm in a crisis, restraint in rhetoric and action when considering military action; integrity, loyalty and patriotism. Putting the interest of the Country in front of party, lobbies, or personal beliefs. It's all informed first and foremost by a strong character.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made May 7 at 2016 9:39 PM

2016-05-07T21:39:03-04:00

Clinton's DoS stated Kobani was not strategically important. Trump will be Rumsfeld in office.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2016 9:30 AM

2016-05-09T09:30:41-04:00

Just my two cents-but I think the major problem with how we obtain candidates for the Presidency is that "We the People" don't have enough influence over "They the Parties".