possible requirements
Published on October 26, 2004 By InfoGeek In Politics
A member of JU posted an article a while back about what it would take to put forth a genuine candidate for the Presidency. Or, if in fact, could it be done. I believe it could, with certain criteria.

Notoriety: The candidate, while not being a household name, must have done something beneficially significant in the past such that a large number of people know about it and could convert others to liking the individual by passing on the information. Notice I did not say vote for, just like. “Vote for” is what the campaign is for.

Money: The candidate should be well heeled. Not enormously rich, but they must have a significant amount of capital on hand. It is assumed that the notoriety will aid in the securing of public monetary support.

Message: Something different, but still within the realm of the mainstream. The populous may want something different but will not give up the comfort of what is recognizable. The message cannot attack any group or business concern. The “restructuring of the Mega-Corps” is not going to happen. You can scream David and Goliath all you want, and say “Power to the People” from the rooftops, the fact is that legally the corporation is a people, and they are not going away. It may be unfair. Life’s unfair. Get over it.

Gender: Probably male. Yes, women are equal and have done great things for society; it took you how long to get the vote? While it could be possible to put a woman on the ballot I don’t think would play well.

Race: While there are still biased elements on the land, I do not know if this is an issue. While I do not think that most people would vote for Al Sharpton, and maybe it is naïve of me, but I think people would vote for Colin Powell. He is a soldier, commander, statesman and he survived the UN “evidence” presentation unscathed. He won’t abandon Bush though; either out of respect for his father or Powell’s loyalty to his president and party.

Just my thoughts.

IG

Comments
on Oct 26, 2004
IG:

Well, I have an article on 3rd Party Candidates, but the main problem with your analysis is that all of the above conditions can be met and the candidate would still have no chance (ala Ross Perot). You might get 20% of the vote, which is not worth pursuing. Even Perot admits that now.
on Oct 26, 2004

Reply #1 By: CrispE - 10/26/2004 3:07:47 PM
IG:

Well, I have an article on 3rd Party Candidates, but the main problem with your analysis is that all of the above conditions can be met and the candidate would still have no chance (ala Ross Perot). You might get 20% of the vote, which is not worth pursuing. Even Perot admits that now.


And what did Mr. Perot do that was so beneficially significant ?
on Oct 26, 2004
CrispE, you are wrong.

Perot got 20% of the vote after pulling out and then re-enteing the race! He had a very good shot if he had been serious all along. His problem was that the was just out to defeat bush, and did not want the job itself. So when it looked like he actually might win, or throw it into the House and Senate, where he still could win, he pulled out. Then got back in to make sure Bush was defeated.

he could have done it. He was the first since Teddy Roosevelt to actually have a shot. We just need someone more principaled than the little general!

measure twice, cut once!
on Oct 26, 2004

Reply #3 By: Dr. Guy - 10/26/2004 3:55:49 PM
measure twice, cut once!


Sounds like a carpenter to me!
on Oct 26, 2004
Interesting topic.

I think the candidate would have to be a household name. Someone that most people would recognize, especially unlikely voters.

The candidate would have to have had either a major elected office or been a general/admiral. Governor is usually the best office to be running from.

The key to winning would be to get people who don't typically vote to vote for them. Most likely voters lean towards one of the major candidates.