Qualifications for a Presidential Candidate.

2014-04-05T22:29:57-04:00

What qualifications should a candidate possess before he becomes President? One I can think of is: Previous service in the military preferably in a command/leadership position. Anybody got any other ideas for qualifications?

Response by SFC Lamont Womack made Apr 5 at 2014 10:35 PM

2014-04-05T22:35:04-04:00

Do you plan on running for President?

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2014 10:36 PM

2014-04-05T22:36:22-04:00

I believe its spelled out in Article 2 of the Constitution.

No other litmus tests should be required. eg Military Service, Religious Tests, Financial Qualifications, etc...

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 15 at 2014 4:21 PM

2014-05-15T16:21:59-04:00

Qualifications? From what I have seen lately, what a person needs is, is the support of the media. Forget if a person has the experience, morality or meets the Constitutional requirements?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2014 12:31 PM

2014-05-16T12:31:35-04:00

500,000 Rally point influence points!!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2014 1:57 PM

2014-05-16T13:57:22-04:00

Governors of Roman provinces were appointed promagistrates with imperium (roughly, "right to command") in their province(s). The governor would then serve as the general of the Roman army within the territory of his province(s). Roman law specified that only the elected magistrates (consuls and praetors) could hold imperium within Italy. Any promagistrate who entered Italy at the head of his troops forfeited his imperium and was therefore no longer legally allowed to command troops.

On 10 January 49 BC, leading one legion, the Legio XIII Gemina, General Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River, the boundary between the Cisalpine Gaul province to the north and Italy proper to the south, a legally-proscribed action forbidden to any army-leading general. The proscription protected the Roman Republic from a coup d'état; thus, Caesar's military action began a civil war.

So, to insist that any presidential candidate have a military command background insists that a candidate is beholden to both the “sword” (the military) and the arm that holds it (a civilian-elected government), in a manner that could potentially create a conflict of interest: a flag officer with the backing of a standing military running for political office creates the potential for an illegal seizure of the civilian government if he/she is not elected. What the candidate could not win with an olive branch he could take with a sword.

Now, would that ever happen in the United States? Of course not (at least, I hope not), but it’s what came to mind when you asked your question.

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made May 16 at 2014 2:49 PM

2014-05-16T14:49:25-04:00

You raise a very good question. Too many citizens do no consider this question when they cast their vote. Too many are only concerned with what the political candidate can do for them, and they are willing to believe the rhetoric above facts. I think all citizens should have to serve in the military after high school or college.
Although military commanders are great leaders, it should not disqualify others that did not serve in a command capacity. I do think that a person running for president should have knowledge of the government and be able to show leadership ability and a sense of patriotism.
I have always said, show me a politician that is willing to admit things are bad and they do not have all the answers, and I will vote for that person. Too many times politicians feel they have to have a solution to everything and thus we end up with broken promises, monumental mistakes, and lack of accountability.

Politicians, especially those seeking office of president should be honest, accountable, and have no conflicts of interest. Ok, that disqualifies all of the politicians in Washington.

We as American citizens should become more educated about government. After all, it doesn't matter the qualifications of the person running if the electorate is blind. A more educated and active populace will help eliminate those who are full of it.

The electorate college needs to be eliminated and replaced with the actual vote count, then, will all of our votes really matter. The system is not fair if a candidate can win the office and lose the popular vote, as has happened in the past.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made May 17 at 2014 12:12 PM

2014-05-17T12:12:09-04:00

PFC. Minchey if you want to run for president I will vote for you, you meet all the qualifications :)

Response by SFC Gary Fox made May 17 at 2014 12:29 PM

2014-05-17T12:29:36-04:00

Personally, I don't believe prior military service should be a requirement for a presidential candidate, even though the president serves as Commander-in-Chief. The following presidents never served in the military or a militia:
John Adams
John Quincy Adams
Martin Van Buren
Grover Cleveland
William H. Taft (Served as Secretary of War from 1904-1908 under President Theodore Roosevelt)
Woodrow Wilson (was President during WW I)
Warren G. Harding
Herbert Hoover
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Bill Clinton
Barrack Obama

There were many presidents who had military time, but did not have command time. Others served in the military, but never experienced combat. Ronald Reagan served during WWII, but did not have command time nor did he have any combat experience. George W. Bush served in the Air National Guard as a fighter pilot, but did not have command time nor did he have combat experience.

Thomas Jefferson was a Colonel in Virginia Militia as an administrator prior to the Revolutionary War. Most wealthy men of Virginia held rank in the militia.

James Buchanan served as a Private during the War of 1812.

Abraham Lincoln served in the Illinois militia first as a Captain. He mustered out and then mustered back in later as a Private. He never saw combat.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made May 17 at 2014 8:45 PM

2014-05-17T20:45:34-04:00

Less lawyers, more scientists/engineers/Doctors. Lawyers argue for a living, and our government is full of them... Explains a lot...We need a scientifically literate governing body.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made May 18 at 2014 10:29 AM

2014-05-18T10:29:07-04:00

Make changes that positively impact our nation. Look at better plans and new changes in health, employment, national defense, SSN, retirement, etc. Take care of or own nations needs and issues. Military experience is great but, maybe not as necessary as some people would argue.

Response by LTC Joseph Gross made May 18 at 2014 4:32 PM

2014-05-18T16:32:11-04:00

Two of our worst presidents had military service. Not a good indicator.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2014 9:29 PM

2014-05-19T21:29:15-04:00

I think a few good qualifications are:

The ability to compromise within the political spectrum.

A genuine devotion to the people of the United States

But then again I am a fan of "walk quietly but carry a big stick."

A healthy respect for the military and the working men and women of America will get you everywhere. Yes, big business and politicians might get you elected. But if things go south, you will want to be a beloved hero not a scorned president.

But like everything, people have a thousand opinions. But thats why we live in America.

Response by SSG Saun Lehar made Jul 29 at 2014 5:57 PM

2014-07-29T17:57:06-04:00

The requirements are listed in the constitution. There is no provision for military service, back in the day it was easy to elect a soldier into office because so many politicians were prior military;

No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
Article II, Section 1, Clause 5

Considering that most of us as active military or veterans make up .45% of the population it is becoming harder for military service to qualify into the presidency not to mention that mist of us cannot get the money needed these days to compete with multi million dollar campaigns.

I do wish that we would see retired senior NCO 1SG or SGM run for the president, I feel that the officers (no disrespect) think they have a corner on the market in leadership.

Response by SGT Jonathan Williams made Jul 30 at 2014 1:05 PM

2014-07-30T13:05:41-04:00

I understand the momentum behind the question. It would be easier for service members to respect a President who had previous service. My pushback on that: In addition to being the Commander in-chief, the Presidency has so many other duties.

Four years ago, the US Military made up less than 1% of the total population (NPR 2010).

If we were to add that qualification we would risk disenfranchising the the remaining majority of the American Population from serving in this office. Something I am not comfortable with.

In part, the Declaration of Independence: "...That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed".

The Government serves the interests of the American People. By extension, the US Military serves the Nation's priorities

Semi related, any addition of qualification would take a constitutional amendment.

It is an interesting question. Point of fact, the current qualifications are"...No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States."

The 22nd Amendment also states that no more than two terms can occur, effecting eligibility for presidents who have served already.

Article 1 says that the senate can can disqualify a person from federal office as an option when they convict on an impeachment case.

The 14th amendment also disqualifies someone who rebelled.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2014 3:33 PM

2014-08-15T15:33:42-04:00

Not having a DUI and cocaine possession on his criminal record before entering office.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Aug 16 at 2014 1:22 AM

2014-08-16T01:22:29-04:00

How about a valid birth certificate... for starters. Full disclosure of one's educational background to include release of school transcripts. Full disclosure of any aliases used and a complete background investigation. No criminal offenses... One should be able to pass a TS/SCI check. In a country with over 330,000,000 people, this isn't asking too much. There are plenty of qualified candidates who are able to do this.

With that said, our current pResident fails eVerify. Imagine that! If he were a PFC, they would kick him out of the Army for presenting false credentials to verify his identity. Sheriff Arpaio's team of professional forensic analysts proved beyond doubt that the birth certificate put up on whitehouse.gov was a computer generated forgery. It amazes me to no end that our elected officials sit on their hands and act like there is nothing they can do to remove this con from office.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Sep 12 at 2014 12:04 AM

2014-09-12T00:04:15-04:00

How about being born in America. I think that would be a good one.

Response by PO1 Steven Kuhn made Feb 1 at 2016 1:50 PM

2016-02-01T13:50:02-05:00

I agree strongly with prior service! No one can lead unless they have been led!

Response by SPC James Gehringer made Jun 1 at 2016 12:34 AM

2016-06-01T00:34:32-04:00

most of the other ones i can think of are already in place but here is one they should not be under investigation for any feloney and another would be that they must be able to provide a valid U.S. birth citificate to the public at anytime prier to being elected

Response by SPC Joseph Ahner made Jun 19 at 2016 1:13 PM

2016-06-19T13:13:52-04:00

Negative on the Prior service requirement. Anyone running for President must understand that the President does not run the country. They must realize that they are merely the Referee and their job is simply to ensure we don't kill each other while we run the country.