Another Aspect to the Bachmann Candidacy
Though we’re only partway through primary season, it is already clear that Michele Bachmann’s campaign will leave a lasting impact on future candidates – from how her Tea Party message fares, to reinvigorating conservative women on a national platform.
But there’s another facet to Bachmann’s place in history that is removed from the content of her message or identity. She’s a member of the House of Representatives… and that’s it. This isn’t to say that she’s not qualified. Rather, this is an important historical moment for this is the first time in the modern era of presidential politics that just a congressperson (George HW was also head of the CIA) is a viable and potentially likely nominee of a major party. This isn’t because Representatives haven’t run and made impacts in the past, but they haven’t – from the records I trolled back through – really pierced through to the top two or so genuine possibilities. (The last I found was Cordell Hull in 1928, but he was in office for 22 years before running.).
As American distaste for anything related to the “establishment” grows, it seems that the requisite resume positions of old (Senator or Governor) don’t hold as much water. There were exceptions to the rule in the past – Ross Perot, Pat Robertson, Jesse Jackson – but they were just that, exceptions (also none of them were Representatives).
If Bachmann continues to succeed, she will drastically lower the clearing hurdle for future candidates. A resume of governance will take a back seat to charisma, big ideas and inspirational qualities.
I’m torn whether or not this is a good direction. But, I guess that’s something I’ll need to vote on.
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Mar '11
Re: Another Aspect to the Bachmann Candidacy
We have perhaps the most unqualified President in US history, so the hurdle is already on the ground. He also lacks charisma (except to David Brooks), big ideas (other than big government) and inspirational qualities (who does he inspire?).
So Mrs Bachmann is well over the hurdle.
Dec '10
Re: Another Aspect to the Bachmann Candidacy
It's interesting that nobody ever mentions, when discussing Gingrich, that he was only a Representative. Sure, he had a brief tenure as Speaker, but I recall that it didn't turn out well.
Meanwhile, there are modern-era Representatives that have impacted races. Bob Barr had an impact in 2008, in my opinion, certainly in close states where he probably took votes from McCain. John Anderson made the race between Carter and Reagan closer than it might have been, again taking votes from the Republican nominee. Neither were viable candidates, but both took votes from the Republican nominees (mostly).
Nov '10
Re: Another Aspect to the Bachmann Candidacy
"I’m torn whether or not this is a good direction. But, I guess that’s something I’ll need to vote on."
Likely not a good direction, in my humble opinion. A statesman must have a bedrock of principles, a moral compass, a vision, the ability to build a consensus around that vision, and the executive ability to implement that vision through others (subordinates and supporting groups). Bachman has a bedrock of principles and a moral compass. Her vision is now coming into view.. so we'll have to judge the richness of its content. Can she build a majority consensus? Maybe, but so far, it seems to be just an energetic minority constituency that supports her.
But now the real question: Does she have the executive ability to implement her vision; to get things done through others? Most legislators are just that, legislators.. not executives. The exception may be Paul Ryan because he's shown he can muster majority support to get legislation passed. Likely he had to to direct staff and other legislators to get that done.
With some exceptions (Jimmy Carter) executive experience tends to make more effective presidents. For case in point see: Obama, Barack.
Jun '10
Re: Another Aspect to the Bachmann Candidacy
"The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." --Archilochus
...like how to add.
Oct '10
Re: Another Aspect to the Bachmann Candidacy
The financial cum debt crisis and Obama’s recklessness has removed the luster from all those well-buffed political resumes and Ivy League law degrees. Who the heck has been voting to spend all this money all these decades!?! Did W’s Executive experience instill in him an innate repulsion at giving away more and more goodies to be paid for by others long after he has reaped the short term political windfall? Fiscally, Obama is order of magnitudes worse. But at the heart of this whole fiasco is a moral problem . . . Executive experience doesn’t (evidently) teach you that it’s wrong to expect others to fund a lifestyle you can’t yourself afford. Proportionally, the Fed Govt is like a person earning $75K/yr, who nevertheless spends as though he has $125K annual income. Placing that burden on the unborn is simply heinous.
Nov '10
Re: Another Aspect to the Bachmann Candidacy
I'm scared to death that the Tea Parties might elect our own version of Obama - pretty face, does well in front of a sympathetic crowd, speaks well, solid message and clear ideology, but without the resume to do the job.
Don't get me wrong, I love Bachmann, and I'd love to call her Madam President in 2013. I like Palin a lot too, but she has the same problem, worse than Bachmann.
We Tea Partiers are a bombastic bunch. It's one of our strengths, but I worry.
Feb '11
Re: Another Aspect to the Bachmann Candidacy
Bachmann aside, I think it would be a good direction to expand the field of potential candidates beyond state governors, federal politicians, and military generals. (A number like 535 Congressmen + 50 Governors + 2 Military Leaders = 587 people is too big.)
There’s a lot of important business going on in the country that those 587 folks don’t have much to do with.
Re: Another Aspect to the Bachmann Candidacy
Ahem. The last Republican president whose highest previous office was a seat in the House of Representatives?
Abraham Lincoln.
Oct '10
Re: Another Aspect to the Bachmann Candidacy
Peter Robinson: Ahem. The last Republican president whose highest previous office was a seat in the House of Representatives?
Abraham Lincoln.
Touché to all who summarily dismiss House members. Isn’t the real issue not where they’ve served but how they’ve served? We need someone who will care more for doing what’s right than for what’s politically most advantageous. (Yes, I’m assuming they already know what’s ‘right’ to do.) If one has been a career politician—we know it when we see it—it’s a very low probability event you possess that characteristic.
Perhaps it all comes down to desperate times ... chuck away preconceived notions and override the instinct to want a good all-rounder. I just want fiscal sanity for few years! Is that too much to ask? I don’t really care where they think Russia lies or what their mid-east peace plan looks like (none of them work anyway). The standing bureaucracy, spruced up with some good political appointments, will allow all the sideshows to muddle through for 4-8 years . . . won’t really matter compared fixing to our fiscal catastrophe.
Ok – I’ll stop being peevish now.
Feb '11
Re: Another Aspect to the Bachmann Candidacy
SMatthewStolte: Bachmann aside, I think it would be a good direction to expand the field of potential candidates beyond state governors, federal politicians, and military generals. (A number like 535 Congressmen + 50 Governors + 2 Military Leaders = 587 people is too big.)
There’s a lot of important business going on in the country that those 587 folks don’t have much to do with. · Jul 27 at 7:50pm
And one pizza CEO.
Mar '11
Re: Another Aspect to the Bachmann Candidacy
"A resume of governance will take a back seat to charisma, big ideas and inspirational qualities."
That's exactly what makes me nervous.
Charisma especially, with all the Weberian heady German irrationalism that term connotes. It is profoundly antithetical to the traditional, liberal concept of citizenship and the virtues of republican liberty under law. It smells all too much like the longing for celebrity overlordship.
The Executive Office is a duty and a burden. It should be filled by people who are already inspiring, not aspiring. And those who perspire a bit in weighing its gravity and doing the hard work necessary to prepare for such a duty are preferable to those who want to bask in its glamor and delegate the responsibilities of state.
May '11
Re: Another Aspect to the Bachmann Candidacy
"As American distaste for anything related to the “establishment” grows, it seems that the requisite resume positions of old (Senator or Governor) don’t hold as much water."
The phrase, "Reelect nobody" still sums it up best.
The issue is not the experience in government or in executive positions. The issue is the quality of person running for office. Consider Abe Lincoln vs. Anthony Weiner for example.
This doesn't directly apply to the POTUS but Congressional term limits would sure help stir the pot. Maybe someone worth electing might show up.