- #1
Nothing000
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How does someone go about running for president? I am thinking about doing that some day.
Run for President: Quick Guide on How to Start
- Thread starter Nothing000
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the process and considerations involved in running for the presidency of the United States. Participants explore various pathways, including political career trajectories, educational backgrounds, and the influence of wealth and connections in politics.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- One participant suggests a step-by-step approach to running for president, starting from local politics to higher offices, emphasizing the importance of a political science education.
- Another participant expresses skepticism about the difficulty of the process and proposes that wealth can facilitate entry into politics, referencing the "George W. Bush route."
- Some participants debate the historical context of political figures like George Washington and George W. Bush, discussing the role of family influence and financial backing in their political ascents.
- There are claims that politicians typically receive money rather than give it, with one participant humorously suggesting that entering politics is akin to gambling.
- Another participant emphasizes the importance of understanding political issues and government operations, suggesting a proactive approach to political engagement.
- One participant provocatively suggests discarding moral and ethical values as a prerequisite for political success.
- There is a contention regarding the historical accuracy of claims about George Washington's rise to power, with some asserting he did not buy his way into politics.
- A later reply questions the purpose of the thread, suggesting a need for clarity on the legal requirements to run for president.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a range of views on the pathways to the presidency, with no consensus on the best approach or the historical comparisons made. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of wealth and connections in political success.
Contextual Notes
Participants reference various historical figures and their political careers, leading to debates that highlight differing interpretations of their paths to power. The discussion includes assumptions about the political landscape and the influence of socioeconomic status on political opportunities.
- #2
Manchot
- 470
- 5
Here's how I'd go about it:
1. From an early age, be active in your neighborhood. Try to live in the same area where you grew up. If the local politics don't gel with your own, that probably won't be possible.
2. Be elected to alderman in that neighborhood. (EDIT: I just realized that many non-urban places probably don't have aldermen. In that case, I'd try to get some sort of county-level position.)
3. Be elected to Congress in your district.
4. Be elected to Senate/governorship.
5. Run for president.
Oh yeah, you'll probably want to major in Political Science and go to law school.
(On a more personal level, I'd probably follow the Dick Gephardt path, given that I'm from St. Louis. That would involve skipping step 4 and being a representative longer, since Missouri state politics generally preclude St. Louis politicians from doing well in statewide elections. Of course, he didn't win any of the 2004 primaries...
)
1. From an early age, be active in your neighborhood. Try to live in the same area where you grew up. If the local politics don't gel with your own, that probably won't be possible.
2. Be elected to alderman in that neighborhood. (EDIT: I just realized that many non-urban places probably don't have aldermen. In that case, I'd try to get some sort of county-level position.)
3. Be elected to Congress in your district.
4. Be elected to Senate/governorship.
5. Run for president.
Oh yeah, you'll probably want to major in Political Science and go to law school.
(On a more personal level, I'd probably follow the Dick Gephardt path, given that I'm from St. Louis. That would involve skipping step 4 and being a representative longer, since Missouri state politics generally preclude St. Louis politicians from doing well in statewide elections. Of course, he didn't win any of the 2004 primaries...
)
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- #3
Nothing000
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That sounds hard. I think I will just buy my way in. Thanks anyway.
- #4
Manchot
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Nothing000 said:
I'd call that the George W. Bush route.
- #5
Nothing000
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More like the George Washington route.
- #6
Pengwuino
Gold Member
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Nothing000 said:
Politicians are suppose to take money, not the other way around!
Actually you can take the life-long political career path Manchot pointed out and yah, prepare to enter into some sort of law/political science/business major.
Alternatively, I suspect you could become an expert in a field that has some sort of Secretary associated with it. Say for example... secretary of education. You could be an administrator for a school district... slowly move up the ladder through the local and higher levels and become the Secretary of Education. If you somehow get recognized by an administration and political party, you may have a chance. If I were dumb enough to try to run for President and ruin everyones life, I'd stick with Manchot's idea.
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- #7
Manchot
- 470
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Nothing000 said:
I hope you're being facetious. He was the commander-in-chief during the war that birthed this nation. Dubya got into the governorship of Texas with money that his father earned and respect that his father earned.
- #8
Nothing000
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So you are trying to tell me that Geoge Washington didn't get A LOT of help from his dad too?
- #9
Manchot
- 470
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Nothing000 said:
What, do you mean money-wise? Certainly. Reputation-wise, he built it all himself.
- #10
Pengwuino
Gold Member
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Nothing000 said:
We're talking about apples and oranges here. Comparing a modern day politican to George Washington...
- #11
Nothing000
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But Geore Washington basically bought his way straigt to the top. What is the difference from that and George Bush Jr.?
- #12
rachmaninoff
Pengwuino said:
No no no, it's much more like an investment, or perhaps a gamble. You pay to get in , and if you succeed then you can collect big - bribery, extortion, embezzlement, whatever's your game.
The traditional method is to award overpriced no-bids contracts to old friends, in exchange for a percentage, or some other kickbacks (this one's popular in the House this term 
). Or you could set up some sort of elaborate fraud - no one will know. Mind you, it's important not to take any unnecessary risks - always keep a nice buffer zone of unwitting expendables to take the blame.I provide consulting services for a fee... PM me your best offer.
- #13
Pengwuino
Gold Member
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Nothing000 said:
I don't believe Bush fought the British army to free any colonies...
- #14
Nothing000
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What history book are you reading? You should probably question your sources of information.Pengwuino said:
- #15
Pengwuino
Gold Member
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Nothing000 said:
I didn't know Bush was 300 years old...- #16
Nothing000
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It's not like he is still alive or anything. Sheesh, you are crazy.Pengwuino said:
- #17
Nothing000
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Are you smoking drugs?
- #18
Pengwuino
Gold Member
- 5,112
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I must be... because I'm seeing a lot of craaaaaaaaazy stuff in the last few threads...
- #19
scott1
- 353
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Watch news as much as possible.Infact by a new tv and put some where in your house and leave it on the News all the time.My great grandfather was state senortor he watches the news all the time(I'am kind of wondering if it's gentic since me and my watch the news a lot too).Make sure you understand a lot of poltical issues.Make sure you understand how everything in the government works everything form the President/congress to the pages(there the high school students that help the congressmen during the summer).Try to memorize as many laws as possible and make sure you understand there loop holpes.Also make sure you know as much about the courts as possible there very importent.Make sure you know all the rules about congress and the U.N.
- #20
JasonRox
Homework Helper
Gold Member
- 2,394
- 4
Step 1 - Take your moral and ethical values, and throw them in a grinder, so that they get ruined and never come back.
Consult me for a fee after Step 1 has been completed.
Consult me for a fee after Step 1 has been completed.
- #21
russ_watters
Mentor
- 23,873
- 11,325
The difference is that you are wrong about George Washington: he didn't "buy his way to the top". He didn't want to be President - he did it pretty much because his peers made him do it. Add to that the fact that he didn't have to run for President - no money was required.Nothing000 said:
What was the point of this thread? Were you looking for the actual legal method required to become President? IIRC, it is different from state to state, but in many, a petition will get you on the ballot.
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