No Time For Primping
Circumstances don't always allow for patient preparation. Most of us have, at least once, been thrown head-first into a new job because the employer didn't have time to let us get our feet wet. Those employers might have wished they had time to introduce us to the work more gradually and thoroughly, yet I'm betting that most of us performed well despite.
Executive experience and political experience (as if they were different!) are certainly wise expectations for political candidates. But, like Steyn, I believe American politics has reached a tipping point. If we don't elect strong, principled candidates to both Congress and the Oval Office in 2012, then America's troubles will be exponentially worse by the following election.
I don't know who the best Presidential candidates are. But let's not limit our options by excluding today's rookie politicians. Leadership can be proven outside of government.
Lt Colonel Allen West is an example. I don't know much about his military history, so I won't vouch for it. But I would accept that history, contextualized and verified by his current character, as proof of leadership.
Many other potential candidates, like Rubio and Bolton, have experience in politics but not as executives. I don't care. If they have demonstrated strong and consistent leadership over the years, then that's enough for me (assuming their policy views are good, of course).
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Mar '11
Re: No Time For Primping
A set of conservative convictions and the courage to use them would be nice. Of course, without courage they aren't really convictions, are they?
By the way, my definition of conservatism is unabashedly God-centered, fiscally responsible, individual liberty loving, natural law conservatism.
A complete conservative.
Edited on Apr 2, 2011 at 12:26pmSep '10
Re: No Time For Primping
Michelle Bachmann has plenty of experience as far as I'm concerned- she was a tax lawyer for one thing. For another thing she knows what the left wants to do to our country. Having a General who has experience is nothing when he thinks the barbarians at the gate are just peasants in need of soup.
Nov '10
Re: No Time For Primping
I disagree. Executive experience is so vastly important. Your analogy of getting thrown into a job head first fails to point out what happens around you as you learn to swim. Things go to heck. I will grant you that you gain invaluable experience learning from your mistakes, but the opposite is hardly a substantive positive...succeeding in spite of yourself.
If Obama has taught us anything, it is of the paramount importance of having done SOMETHING in your life more that having a point of view and the charisma to get elected. What's more, while one's dynamic and principled leadership may inspire others to follow, it will be their skills as a manager to actually get things done.
The governor's mansion is the only real training ground for a stint in the White House. Let there be a fight amongst our governors. Reagan sought a governorship to prove himself. A true leader, yes. And a proven executive.
So let their be a fight amongst our states' executives. And let us, among them, find our President.
Edited on Apr 2, 2011 at 12:00pmMay '10
Re: No Time For Primping
Lance
If Obama has taught us anything, it is of the paramount importance of having done SOMETHING in your life more that having a point of view and the charisma to get elected. What's more, while one's dynamic and principled leadership may inspire others to follow, it will be their skills as a manager to actually get things done.
Agreed. As I said, I expect a candidate to have "demonstrated" strong and consistent leadership. That means actions and not just words.
My core point is that government (be it governorship or Congress) is not the only arena in which a person can demonstrate executive ability.
And bear in mind that the office of governor varies greatly from state to state in regard to responsibilities and influence.
Executive experience is certainly worthy of consideration. But I'll take a political rookie of strong character over a veteran with a history of playing along.
Jul '10
Re: No Time For Primping
Let us recall that military command, particularly in the field, constitutes executive leadership experience.
George Washington and Dwight Eisenhower did a pretty good job of it - and something tells me that Allen West could more than competently fill Barack Obama's shoes.
Nov '10
Re: No Time For Primping
Aaron Miller
My core point is that government (be it governorship or Congress) is not the only arena in which a person can demonstrate executive ability....· Apr 2 at 12:40pm
I still think the governor's role is the most applicable experience one can have to facilitate a smooth transition into a working White House. But taking a step back, and assuming that tangible, real experience leading/managing/directing/driving something of weight and import will clearly be listed on their resume to scrutinize and learn from, candidates from any number of fields would be interesting, even exciting. Kenneth's point above is a perfect example. Succeeding in these "real world" fields obviously requires engaging in political intrigue in one form or another as part of the job. And one could see how having done so would prepare them for that which awaits public office. But, truth is, one successfully governs first and foremost by navigating through political oceans. More than that, they need to want and crave to swim in those oceans. And captains who can, and want, to do so tend to be of a kind...politicians.
Edited on Apr 2, 2011 at 1:23pmJan '11
Re: No Time For Primping
I'm sorry this is off topic. I agree with your premise but I think Washington DC is past its sell by date. I've read that the first 535 people in the phone book would be better than those currently in congress, I agree but I don't think it would be much better - just different. The federal government is too brutal for any man.
If Karl Rove invented Obama, can he figure out a way to let Obama run unopposed in 2012 yet have Republicans win enough senate seats to prevent any curious Supreme Count nominations.
It seems more successful to make anti progressive arguments than to make pro conservative suggestions. Let's repeal more than just ObamaCare. Perhaps we can move enough government back to the state level where a few men of character might overcome some bureaucracy.
Are you in a Scott Walker state? Elliot Spitzer? Mitch Daniels? Blagojevich?
Jun '10
Re: No Time For Primping
I agree slightly more with Lance above -- in his emphasis on executive experience where a person has been tried in the peculiar crucible of modern democratic systems. The president makes so many decisions in a day that proven executive experience of some kind is sine qua non.
I would exchange the necessity for a governor with a Schwarzkopf or Petraeus-level experience with life and death issues. There might be other exceptions but they are very few indeed.
The world of senators especially should be actively opposed -- because they have so little direct accountability that they have learned lessons in the opposite direction to what we are discussing here.
Edited on Apr 3, 2011 at 9:50amMay '10
Re: No Time For Primping
Kenneth: Let us recall that military command, particularly in the field, constitutes executive leadership experience.
George Washington and Dwight Eisenhower did a pretty good job of it - and something tells me that Allen West could more than competently fill Barack Obama's shoes. · Apr 2 at 12:41pm
Good points about GW and DDE...besides...if all you gotta do is be more competent than Obama, well, the bar is low.
May '10
Re: No Time For Primping
Aaron, at this point I'm most concerned with getting our guy in there, whoever he is. It's here that I believe a track record of competent governing is necessary to reassure the electorate, particularly the Nervous Nellie independents, the whims of whom will determine the winner. (A long track record of competent campaigning would be nice as well.)
I strongly suspect Americans will not be looking to "take a chance" this time 'round, regardless of whether your point about the necessity of governing experience is correct (and it is, I think).
Oct '10
Re: No Time For Primping
Might the balance of power change the ideal candidate? In 2012, if a Republican wins the presidency, we will probably have a Republican congress and possibly a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. In such circumstances, conservatives might have less need of a skilled politician to build coalitions for various pieces of legislation.
In an era of divided govt, those skills built by centrist governors become more valuable. Clinton strikes me as a good example of a person who profited by divided government thanks to skill he had developed as a governor.
I realize that having the trifecta in 2012 does not guarantee keeping it in 2014. But I think we're at a point where we need to go all in on character, conservative principles, and love of country, settling perhaps for the executive temperament developed on the battlefield. We just can't have another four years of presidents who lack character and commitment.
Apr '11
Re: No Time For Primping
J. D. Fitzpatrick:
I realize that having the trifecta in 2012 does not guarantee keeping it in 2014. But I think we're at a point where we need to go all in on character, conservative principles, and love of country, settling perhaps for the executive temperament developed on the battlefield. We just can't have another four years of presidents who lack character and commitment. · Apr 3 at 2:04pm
I agree wholeheartedly with this. I think most members on Ricochet would make a good president if congress were solidly behind them. It is the negotiating of deals on legislation that requires all the political skills. We need a president with fundamental core values that has the ability to make a decision when presented with alternatives.
There has been a lot written that Obama illustrates need for experience. I think instead, he demonstrates what happens when someone with wrong core values is elected. He makes decisions -- just the wrong ones.
Jun '10
Re: No Time For Primping
I really like Bolton. He's the ultimate anti-Obama. You always know what he believes and he has a strong strategic sense (he's always looking ahead three moves--Obama and his foreign policy team are, in contrast, always two moves behind). Plus Bolton detests the UN, which is little more than an anti-American cesspool.
I don't think he's going to be president. He'd make a great Secretary of State, but would likely be filibustered. If not there, how about him as National Security Advisor (I'd sleep better at night).
Edited on Apr 3, 2011 at 5:50pmMay '10
Re: No Time For Primping
You're giving the middle voters too much credit. Any who would vote Democrat in 2012 don't pay attention to politics or otherwise have no sense of the problems before. I doubt many such people think as deeply about their votes as you suggest.
Swings voters in the middle are wishy-washy. Their votes will be decided more by charisma than by policy and experience. They were, afterall, suckered in by Obama's blatant insincerity and dismal lack of experience.
May '10
Re: No Time For Primping
Aaron Miller
You're giving the middle voters too much credit....
First time I've ever been accused of that. :)
Aaron Miller
Swings voters in the middle are wishy-washy. Their votes will be decided more by charisma than by policy and experience. They were, afterall, suckered in by Obama's blatant insincerity and dismal lack of experience.
Maybe--this is all conjecture, afterall. But my hunch is the little buggers will find an anti-Obama most appealing this time: boring, experienced, safe.
May '10
Re: No Time For Primping
If "boring" is what they're looking for, experience suggests we're safe. ;)
Nov '10
Re: No Time For Primping
A point raised above brings a question to mind... If the Republicans have both houses and the Dhite House, will they all have the will to pass the hard legislation? In the face of an antagonistic press that reinforces the message of a self-righteous left? Bush couldn't even get Social Security reform after his big 2004 win.
May '10
Re: No Time For Primping
I have no interest in neophytes. I love Rubio, but he is very green, as was Obama. Talk about him in 10 years after he has done something beside run for office.
Like it or not, this is a political job- it requires executives, but executives who have dealt with, and won over the heads of, those debating societies we call legislative bodies. The only similar job is governor; certainly not the Senate or House.
And I would rather not have to vote for someone who spends all of her or his time in front of cameras instead of in committee meetings. There are plenty of good people out there who have skills to offer besides a loud mouth.
Jun '10
Re: No Time For Primping
First: Obama will be reelected. We don't have a chance. The left and its influence in the MSM are flexing their well-developed muscles. They have control of so many levers in society that they can push anyone over the finish line when they pull out all the stops (and they will) AND they have someone who can spread the racism charge (and they do) on anyone who goes after him in an effective way. It's over.
Second: The Senate and the House of Representatives seem very different to me. The Senate is a very flat hierarchy and the House is pyramidal. Newt's Speakership must legitimately be considered as executive experience (if you don't like Newt then please at lease acknowledge the logic of what I am saying). Interestingly, the Chief Justice's position has some heavy executive (and national security) aspects, too.
Third: I waited for years for the trifecta. Bush and the Congressional Republicans were a HUGE disappointment. It's gonna take something different than just a trifecta.
I hope John Bolton is VP or SecState [oops] in the next Republican administration in 2016. He will be 68 then -- so no problem.
Edited on Apr 4, 2011 at 3:48pmOct '10
Re: No Time For Primping
The last thing we want or need is somebody who wants the job. Those who want the job, want it for a reason; that reason will be the foundation of their policies. Our first few presidents had not only to perform in office, they had to invent the office itself as they governed.
We need somebody who is smart, wise and knows enough to say no. That person will not seek the office; we have to find him.