Why would anyone want to be President of the US now?

It's a standard high reward/no loss situation. If they succeed, then they would be the next FDR figure. If they fail, then they'll just be seen as ineffective against a crisis that was bigger than them.

Politicians also have a narrow window to run. They might not get another crack at it for 8 years, and then it might be too late. You gotta strike while the iron is hot.

The Parakeet said:

It's a standard high reward/no loss situation. If they succeed, then they would be the next FDR figure. If they fail, then they'll just be seen as ineffective against a crisis that was bigger than them.

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Or they might become a complete joke like George W.

I personally would not want to be president for the reason being the stress would be immense. Whether there is no significant loss or not, failing as the president would be a huge stress and even more so if faced with a crisis that they are expected to fix - but that is, as you say, bigger than them.

curious said:

I kept thinking this all through the campaign. Why do these people want to be president when the chances that they will have a successful presidency are practically zero? When the best the president will be able to do is avoid another Great Depression? When their presidency will most likely be regarded as a failure no matter what they do?

I kept waiting for one of them to say something like, "I'm good, but I'm not that good."

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During the campaigns, candidates are always filled with enthusiasm and confidence. They really do believe they can do everything promised when running but then they get elected and reality hits.

It just takes a certain mindset to want to be president. It can be a good thing, as well as a bad thing I suppose.

curious said:

I kept thinking this all through the campaign. Why do these people want to be president when the chances that they will have a successful presidency are practically zero? When the best the president will be able to do is avoid another Great Depression? When their presidency will most likely be regarded as a failure no matter what they do?

I kept waiting for one of them to say something like, "I'm good, but I'm not that good."

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Perhaps the presidency made a statement for Afro Americans as well as those who were hoping for substantial change in that direction. Next time it could be an opportunity for having a female President? Once those milestones have been achieved it would be a very good question why anyone would like to serve in the US Government. Candidates for these positions are scrutinized in the most aggressive, personal, invasive, and humiliating ways at times, instead of focussing on the actual capabilities of doing the job. Once in office this type of scrutiny continues with no stop, all of it subject to media sentiment of the day.

deanhills said:

Candidates for these positions are scrutinized in the most aggressive, personal, invasive, and humiliating ways at times, instead of focussing on the actual capabilities of doing the job. Once in office this type of scrutiny continues with no stop, all of it subject to media sentiment of the day.

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You make a good point. This is another major reason why I wouldn't want to be president. I thoroughly enjoy my privacy. It would be bad enough having all that stress, but add on that every single little mistake you make being broadcasted to the world and scrutinized - that would be terrible. It would be uncomfortable to always have to keep a close watch on your words and actions - similar to Obama and the special olympics... if anyone else had said it, it probably would have went fairly unnoticed.

I was saying way before the election that I pitied anyone who was going to be President after Mr. Bush. Each President always inherit the problems of the previous administration and I did not envy the task Mr. Obama has. Looking back in history I think about other Presidents that had to take over in hard times. James Buchanan practically handed Abraham Lincoln a nation at war. Lincoln showed his leadership. While on the other hand Andrew Johnson after Lincoln had reconstruction to deal with and ended up Impeached. So you never know what history will throw at you. I genuinely hope Mr. Obama is up for the task. I may not agree with like 70% of his policies (whenever he decides to pick something definite to stand up for) but here's to hoping I'm wrong.

In my opinion the "best people" will never run. There is a drunk uncle or over sexed aunt (or something similar) in most families. Who would want all that dirty laundry drug through the public? Not to mention ticking off the family.

One thing they all have in common is a huge ego!

Glee said:

I was saying way before the election that I pitied anyone who was going to be President after Mr. Bush. Each President always inherit the problems of the previous administration and I did not envy the task Mr. Obama has.

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Well, looking at it with a contrarian point of view, possibly people hated Bush so much, that they would have welcomed anybody else with open arms. I am open for correction but my interpretation is that everyone has been clapping their hands and shouting "yeah!!!", when Obama has made his decisions. Obama has also typically politician style made a good point of referring to his departure from how Bush used to do things and how he, Obama has made a much better decision, i.e. Gtama Bay release of prisoners. Anyway, we are still in early days and Obama is still in his "honeymoon" phase. Probably won't take long before people start getting unhappy again, as maybe when people are unhappy and also unprepared to take responsibility for their share in making things happen (i.e. expecting someone else to bail them out) they seem to always be able to judge others more easily and also harshly. :shy:

curious said:

I kept thinking this all through the campaign. Why do these people want to be president when the chances that they will have a successful presidency are practically zero? When the best the president will be able to do is avoid another Great Depression? When their presidency will most likely be regarded as a failure no matter what they do?

I kept waiting for one of them to say something like, "I'm good, but I'm not that good."

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Once again those egos just will not let them say that. They would choke on those words.

DodgeFB said:

Once again those egos just will not let them say that. They would choke on those words.

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Being in charge of a country is a pretty big job. Huge decisions, a massive amount of stress and always being scrutinized. Someone who didn't see themselves as a very important individual would likely crack under the pressure. Someone without a large ego probably wouldn't have it in them to run for such a position in the first place as why would they feel important enough/special enough to run a country.

Delta said:

Being in charge of a country is a pretty big job. Huge decisions, a massive amount of stress and always being scrutinized. Someone who didn't see themselves as a very important individual would likely crack under the pressure. Someone without a large ego probably wouldn't have it in them to run for such a position in the first place as why would they feel important enough/special enough to run a country.

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Very true. Look at the fellow we have holding down the seat now. A large portion of the people here think he is going too far too fast. But he goes off to tell 20 other countries they are wrong and he is right. But most of them don't want to jump off the same cliff he did. Sad thing is he took us with him.

Now that is some ego!

Do Presidents really have such a lot of power though? Aren't they mostly co-ordinators of specialists in all the different areas where decisions need to be made? And I would say their ability to do good presentations such as Reagen was able to do, would be one of their most important attributes. A perception that they are firmly "in charge" together with self-confidence that would assist the citizens to have confidence in their Government and President as well.

deanhills said:

Do Presidents really have such a lot of power though? Aren't they mostly co-ordinators of specialists in all the different areas where decisions need to be made? And I would say their ability to do good presentations such as Reagen was able to do, would be one of their most important attributes. A perception that they are firmly "in charge" together with self-confidence that would assist the citizens to have confidence in their Government and President as well.

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That dude in there now has the power. He is the pied pied piper of the day. He has millions drinking the Kool Aid as he leads them over the edge.

curious said:

I think it is a relief not to have a president that thinks everything is just fine and doesn't think tax reductions solve everything.

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Do you really think anyone can borrow and spend their way out of debt?

When you are in a hole you stop digging.

DodgeFB said:

Do you really think anyone can borrow and spend their way out of debt?

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Definitely not. And 1.2 trillion is completely over the top. Wonder whether people really realize the consequences of 1.2 trillion dollars? Wonder who will be buying up all the 1.2 trillion bonds, and what would it then mean for the citizens of the United States? For example if the buyers are predominantly from the Middle East and China?

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