Should the President have a political background?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 19:50:51 -0400

As we know Donald Trump is running for President. I admire his success and keen business intellect. But I worry about is his very abrasive comments to just about everyone that doesn't agree with him would undermine a functioning government. At least you know where he stands. There is no mistaking his position. Once again I admire that he isn't political when it comes to his stance. Often you really don't even have a clue what a political figure really stands for?

This really isn't just about Trump really. It is more about the ability of a person that has no political background successfully campaigning for president? Mitt Romney was also a smart business man. He also said what he felt to be true. But in these times so many don't want to hear that. Every group wants to hear what they want.

I am sure that if the does get elected the world will take notice. I think it would plunge the world stage into a period of uncertainty. No one would really know how a businessman would handle a situation in which the National interest has nothing to do with profits.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2015 8:06 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 20:06:55 -0400

It may be helpful, however it shouldn't be considered a requirement in my opinion. His business talents seem to lie in promotion, not in running organizations well.

http://time.com/money/3923629/donald-trump-name-business-failures/

8 Epic Business Failures with Donald Trump's Name on Them

If the Trump presidential campaign fails, it won't be the Donald's first misfire.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 1 at 2015 8:13 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 20:13:29 -0400

This is a great question.

Part of being a good "Administrator" is understanding how a System works. If you don't understand a system, you cannot manipulate it, or "tweak" it.

You don't necessarily have to have a direct background in it. As an example, we have had SCOTUS Justices who are former Solicitors General, and never judges.

We've also had Presidents who were former Governors and never Senators or Representatives.

As for Mr. Trump, this is not intended to be a knock on the man, but my personal opinion regarding his campaign. He is not actually running for President. He is advertising the Trump Brand. He is keeping himself relevant, and he is doing that using the two year election cycle to do it. With his business acumen, he knows he doesn't have a snowballs' chance, but that is not his goal. He is raking in (essentially) free advertising.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2015 8:21 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 20:21:24 -0400

The fact of being a president or presidential candidate implies that he/she should be a politician among orher desired skills. It matters because diplomacy is at the core of domestic and international negotiations. Trump has a big mouth and no filter, therefore he has no business trying to be president. In fact, we have been seeing lately a string of "candidates" that only come to prominence because of inflammatory and extremist agendas but at no time do they put forth a viable plan for any of their greivances.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 1 at 2015 8:37 PM

COL Charles Williams — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 20:37:25 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Hmmm.... The current one did not, or at least very little? I think those are were/are successful governors are uniquely qualified as the lead and manage large civic bureaucracies, and states unlike the federal government have to balance their budgets; or should. That said, do not think political experience is a must. I do think actual leadership and management experience is, at a high level.

Response by MSgt Brian Welch made Jul 1 at 2015 9:24 PM

MSgt Brian Welch — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 21:24:56 -0400

Trump is as bad as any career politician. Is stance isn't real. He's gotten into playing the media. He does it all as hype with the mindset of "even bad publicity is good publicity". He's not even a serious contender for president. He just figures on keeping himself as a public figure. He'll go off into obscurity soon enough but he's fighting it.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 1:04 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 13:04:52 -0400

Does being an officer give you a political background? We've had a few Generals get elected to president with mixed results. Washington, Grant, and Eisenhower to name a few off the top of my head. Lincoln only served one term as a congressman. While I don't think Donald Trump will make a good president, I don't think his lack of political background will hold him back either.