Do You Ever Wonder Why Someone Would Want To Be President?

[Lanshark]

It is my contention that we do not get the best candidates running for office of President because of the intense media scrutiny.

I think people run for Power.

 

[padams]

BIL is running for Congress and intends to run eventually for President. Every family has their skeleton in the closet...

ITA that the best people for President would never want the job.

 

[Maleficent13]

My goal is to run for President so that there can be debates about me on the DIS...and since no one knows who I am, I can join right in!

 

[rcyannacci]

Flame me if you will, but I always thought it was odd that Jimmy Carter made it to the presidency. He always seemed way to nice of a person to be president.

Yea, I could never be president...too many wild parties, idiot boyfriends, and college antics would come back to haunt me. Best leave all that in the past...

 

[wvrevy]

I'd love the job...There could simply be no better feeling than seeing a need for some kind of change in the world and having the power to help bring that about.

That said, no way in h-e-double-hockey-sticks I'd EVER want to put myself or my family through the meat-grinder of a presidential election bid.

So yeah, it is a double edged sword, and consequently most good men and women would never stick their necks out and risk their reputations for it, no matter how high the payoff.

 

[Robinrs]

I agree with Marcie, I think it's a power thing...

And for the second time in a week I agree with Steve.... ... it takes a serious ego to want this job!

After all, most of these men make MANY times the paltry income of this 4 year gig, and suffer the slings and arrows of every single second of it. It amazes me WHY they would want to. I can understand egomaniacs like Reagan and Clinton, but Mondale and the current president just don't look like the type. I guess you just never know.

 

[UncleKyle]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
You have hundreds of people who are at your beck and call 24/7. You are protected as though you were gold-plated. You can travel anywhere in complete comfort. You live in a huge mansion. Everyone is respectful to you in your presence. You are the CiC of the world's only superpower.

It's the ultimate ego trip.

This is exactly why they all have big egos. No one sits when you walk into a room or even when you stand everyone else does. I'd probably just have fun with people and keep standing up and down just to amuse myself. And for the rest of your life when people leave the room they'll say "Thank you, Mr. President"

 

[Maleficent13]

Originally posted by Robinrs
I agree with Marcie, I think it's a power thing...

And for the second time in a week I agree with Steve.... ... it takes a serious ego to want this job!

After all, most of these men make MANY times the paltry income of this 4 year gig, and suffer the slings and arrows of every single second of it. It amazes me WHY they would want to. I can understand egomaniacs like Reagan and Clinton, but Mondale and the current president just don't look like the type. I guess you just never know.

I know I've been a bit flippant on the thread so far, but just wanted to say that I do think it is possible to want this job and have it have nothing to do with ego. I am truly interested in politics and I am not an egomaniac. My desire to become involved has more to do with getting some people in power who do not have egos the size of Wisconsin.

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by Robinrs
And for the second time in a week I agree with Steve.... ...

Welcome to the "dark" side! But don't worry ... like kidney stones, agreeing with Steve will also pass.

 

[KrnB]

Originally posted by Galahad
Actually, I think that the difficulty of the job, and getting it in the first place, is so unique that none of the President's we've had can possibly be as bad as their very vocal detractors try to make us believe. There is no way, for example, the Clinton could possibly have been as irresponsible as the right-wing want us to believe and be able to be at all successful navigating a life of public service for as long has he has.

Both sides are very good at being politicians, meaning that they are very good liars. That's why I think the "good" people for the position never run. The people that actually stick to their convictions instead of playing political games rarely make it into office - or don't stay that way for long because they learn that you cannot make it in Washington without playing the game.

I do agree, however, that the person in office - Republican or Democrat - is never as horrid as their opponents say they are. But then, they're not as perfect as their supporters say they are either. They are, after all, human.

And to everyone else's point, it does take a certain kind of person to be willing to put up with the media constantly after you. I'm glad SOMEONE wants the job, but definitely not for me!