Is "candidate for President of the United States" a different role from "President of the United States"?
Asked by
ibstubro (
18804
)
April 22nd, 2016
Trump chief: ‘You’ll see a real different guy’
I find this a really interesting idea.
At first glance, I was mildly outraged that “President of the United States” could be considered another “role” to be played like another reality TV show.
But is it really that preposterous? Since the 70’s and the dominance of TV in American lives, how many candidates have gone on to be the President they promised?
On the other end of the spectrum, does anyone believer President Sanders would have the authority or clout to achieve free universal college tuition? Or is that part of his “role” as candidate?
Is Trump, the non-politician, inadvertently showing how little difference there is between modern American politics and modern American reality TV?
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6 Answers
Anyone that paid attention in high school government class should know that presidents do not make laws. The closest thing they can do to making a law is making an executive order, which Congress can override with a ⅔ majority.
Trump is going to say whatever gets him more attention. I have no idea what kind of President he’ll actually be, because once he’s no longer courting the tin of Copenhagen and four-pack of Natural Light vote, he’s got to try to get attention from new people, and so he’ll change his personality to match what those people want to see.
Bernie has been singing the same song for over 30 years. While he cannot write the laws he wants passed, he can certainly write executive orders which may or may not hold up to Congress, or work with Congress closely to have them write the laws he’d like to see happen. Since he has all the experience he does and knows the system, he’s got a way better chance at succeeding at that than someone who is coming in with no political experience whatsoever.
Totally. Candidates depend on charisma and attractiveness (why Martin O’Malley did not do well). They have to be good at crafting sound bites.
Both jobs require skill in handling media.
President requires a huge work ethic, a sharp intellect (OK, not always, but it helps). Management skills are also helpful.
Remember 2004 and John Kerry? He was constantly nailed as a flip-flopper. Trump is way more of flip-flopper but that is ignored since Trump is easy TV.
Of course. Even in your local hobby club, what it takes to win an election is not necessarily the same thing that it takes to lead the group well.
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