In the local paper here in Charleston, South Carolina, today, this column runs with the headline “Perilous times call for a tested President.”

The local ABQ paper ran something by EJ Dionne that said basically the same thing. I find it refreshing this election cycle that some of the MSM at least are trying to focus on big issues that virtually none of the candidates are addressing, or if they are, they are perenially bungling their lines (Huckabee’s line about how Pakistan ought to secure their eastern borders [which I’m sure the Indian government took about 30 minutes to parse for any anti Indian sentiments] is just one of many examples). The sad thing is that this seriousness came at the price of Bhutto’s death.

If this is your standard, then Bill Richardson or maybe Biden and McCain are your best choices.  I suppose Mrs. Clinton might also suffice.

Randall

Then, he said, a president should know the leadership elites in this country—not just in politics but in business, the professions, academia, labor—well enough that he would know where to go to staff his administration.

This, in my opinion, is a major reason why this country is in such trouble.  It is run by small “elites” that relate to each other but are increasingly out of touch with reality.

I stand by my opinion (expressed somewhat jokingly to my mother earlier today) that we need a president who will kick butt and take names.  But that’s just me…lol

I think it was Jerry Pournelle, the science fiction author, who observed that the qualifications to get the job of President are not the same as the qualificaitons to do the job of President.  The same can be said of almost any elected office - including Bishop in TECUSA.

YBIC,
Phil Snyder

Border’s argument is why I am supporting Richardson. He has more foreign policy experience than any other candidate, and it is a quality sorely needed in our next president.

#7…how about Ron Paul?

Seems like George Washington and Harry Truman did a pretty fair job, and neither one would be ideally qualified per the criteria mentioned above.  I think the most important trait, exhibited by both Washington and Truman, both who served in very difficult times, is a strong and character guided by right principles and moral integrity.  These traits point to McCain, Huckabee or Romney.  IMHO, Obama or Clinton would be the opposite extreme.