2 answers
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Palo Alto, California
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How to become President?
Lend your expertise: what does it take to become President?
Note: Given the growing interest in the politics field, we're inviting our experienced professionals to share their knowledge.
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2 answers
Jerry Tingstad
Professor/middle school teacher/48 years
57
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jerry’s Answer
First, Mr. German's answer gives one a good deal of information.
Second, I have no information regarding your educational background. A good knowledge of United States history I would think is very important. And not just political history. Knowing the dynamics of this country's growth and development (including the dynamics of immigration involving both the willing and unwilling) can give an individual a measure of confidence in where they "fit" in the system. And then the offerings at institutions of higher learning. Beyond high school history and courses in Political Science. American Government and Politics. Constitutional Law. State and Local Government. Public Administration. Those would be the basics. Back to history. Modern European History (French Revolution and beyond), British (distinct and they do not necessarily see themselves as European and played a huge role in the development of our modern world), Asian, Middle East, the Americas and on. Harry S Truman was the only president who did not attend college or university; though he did read every book in his local library.
Which brings me to a question: how much reading do you do? Books and newspapers. Or are you staring at a screen? The advantage of a physical book or newspaper is one can easily go back and forth.
Then a good knowledge of our presidents is quite helpful. Different presidents entered the office through different routes. Early on being a Founding Father (or the son thereof\) was quite helpful. Being a "war hero" was helpful for others. Being part of a political family is yet another route. Being in the right place at the right time: the death of a president. Starting from nothing. At the bottom and working one's way up. Political circumstances were such that it all simply fell into place. A particular political party couldn't come up with a candidate with enough support and they pick a compromise. The political/economic/social circumstances were such that a particular type of candidate became the choice. The constitutional rules for becoming president worked to the advantage of a particular candidate (winning the presidency is not a matter of getting the most popular votes, it's a matter of winning a combination of states to give one an absolute majority of electoral votes).
First, get yourself a decent education. Especially history and politics; at least with regard to your question. You will then be able to fit United States presidents in the types outlined in the above paragraph.
For most candidates for our presidency becoming one involves a tremendous amount of work, energy, time, sleeplessness. and... luck.
You'll need it.
Second, I have no information regarding your educational background. A good knowledge of United States history I would think is very important. And not just political history. Knowing the dynamics of this country's growth and development (including the dynamics of immigration involving both the willing and unwilling) can give an individual a measure of confidence in where they "fit" in the system. And then the offerings at institutions of higher learning. Beyond high school history and courses in Political Science. American Government and Politics. Constitutional Law. State and Local Government. Public Administration. Those would be the basics. Back to history. Modern European History (French Revolution and beyond), British (distinct and they do not necessarily see themselves as European and played a huge role in the development of our modern world), Asian, Middle East, the Americas and on. Harry S Truman was the only president who did not attend college or university; though he did read every book in his local library.
Which brings me to a question: how much reading do you do? Books and newspapers. Or are you staring at a screen? The advantage of a physical book or newspaper is one can easily go back and forth.
Then a good knowledge of our presidents is quite helpful. Different presidents entered the office through different routes. Early on being a Founding Father (or the son thereof\) was quite helpful. Being a "war hero" was helpful for others. Being part of a political family is yet another route. Being in the right place at the right time: the death of a president. Starting from nothing. At the bottom and working one's way up. Political circumstances were such that it all simply fell into place. A particular political party couldn't come up with a candidate with enough support and they pick a compromise. The political/economic/social circumstances were such that a particular type of candidate became the choice. The constitutional rules for becoming president worked to the advantage of a particular candidate (winning the presidency is not a matter of getting the most popular votes, it's a matter of winning a combination of states to give one an absolute majority of electoral votes).
First, get yourself a decent education. Especially history and politics; at least with regard to your question. You will then be able to fit United States presidents in the types outlined in the above paragraph.
For most candidates for our presidency becoming one involves a tremendous amount of work, energy, time, sleeplessness. and... luck.
You'll need it.
JOHN German
85
Answers
Bluffton, South Carolina
Updated
JOHN’s Answer
Hello:
Via the constitution:
"The U.S. Constitution states that the president must:
Be a natural-born citizen of the United States
Be at least 35 years old
Have been a resident of the United States for 14 years".
- https://www.usa.gov/requirements-for-presidential-candidates
- https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artII-S1-C5-1/ALDE_00013692/
Beyond those minimum requirements wisdom, informational education about these would also help:
- political landscapes now and past
- foreign policies
- foreign nation's past and current circumstances
- state-by-state stances on various legislations
- country-wide laws
- grasping past presidents and what benefited their presidencies and/or limited their presidencies
- education, at least basic, on economy and other realms of US
- confidence, integrity, decision-making, etc. (for good, honest leadership that would benefit the nation and not their own interests)
- and more
So, the more one understand about various aspects, the higher the potential one can gift their presidency a more informed selection with their thoughts - including picking those around you who have that knowledge you lack or do not have enough of.
Grateful within your imprints.
God Bless,
John German
Via the constitution:
"The U.S. Constitution states that the president must:
Be a natural-born citizen of the United States
Be at least 35 years old
Have been a resident of the United States for 14 years".
- https://www.usa.gov/requirements-for-presidential-candidates
- https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artII-S1-C5-1/ALDE_00013692/
Beyond those minimum requirements wisdom, informational education about these would also help:
- political landscapes now and past
- foreign policies
- foreign nation's past and current circumstances
- state-by-state stances on various legislations
- country-wide laws
- grasping past presidents and what benefited their presidencies and/or limited their presidencies
- education, at least basic, on economy and other realms of US
- confidence, integrity, decision-making, etc. (for good, honest leadership that would benefit the nation and not their own interests)
- and more
So, the more one understand about various aspects, the higher the potential one can gift their presidency a more informed selection with their thoughts - including picking those around you who have that knowledge you lack or do not have enough of.
Grateful within your imprints.
God Bless,
John German