CliffyWorld

As we get closer to November 4th, 2008 Americans will eventually sort out the rhetoric spewing from the media and lock in on a candidate that best suits the qualifications to hold the highest position in the country. Of course there are many people that will not research any candidate at all and just vote for one who shares the same religion, color or race. Additionally they will make a decision based upon the looks, hairstyle, dress or sound of the candidate’s articulation.

What is the Role of the US president? (according to Wikipedia)

The President is at the head of the executive branch of the federal government; his role is to enforce national law as given in the Constitution and written by Congress. Article Two of the Constitution establishes the President as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and enumerates powers specifically granted to the President, including the power to sign into law or veto bills passed by both houses of Congress. The President also has the power to create a cabinet of advisers and to grant pardons or reprieves. Finally, with the "advice and consent" of the Senate, the President is empowered to make treaties and appoint federal officers, ambassadors, and federal judges, including Justices of the Supreme Court. As with officials in the other branches of the United States government, the Constitution restrains the President with a set of checks and balances designed to prevent any individual or group from taking absolute power.

How can we really choose between the two current candidates?

Let's put ourselves in the role of a human resources manager interviewing a person for a management position within a huge company that handles national and international products and services. It requires the candidate to hire a staff of qualified managers to run various departments within the organization and have them report and advise on their operations within a timely schedule. Eventually decisions would have to be made to adjust operations for the corporate good. Knowledge of law is required as all doings of the company must abide by constitutional practices with it's staff members, competing companies, their workers and the consumers that support all. International law is a plus as the company conducts business abroad in many aligned and non-friendly countries. Finally, military experience with a commanding position such as General, Commander or Lieutenant is required as the company may take part in several hostile takeovers with other national and international companies.

Our record on choosing a past president if it were based on the imaginary human resource interview.

Out of 43 presidents, 25 have been lawyers, 31 have had military experience (all with a lieutenant or higher rank) and only 2 studied business but 1 graduated with a business degree. (George W Bush). Additionally, 6 never attended college at all. Most presidents of the past would not meet the qualifications for the position in the company but were still hired and most proved their good.

Abraham Lincoln never attended college but led a divided nation through a civil war.
Franklin Roosevelt was never in the military but defeated Nazi and Japanese aggression.
Harry Truman never graduated with a business degree but formed the “Truman Committee” which investigated the scandal of military wastefulness by exposing fraud and mismanagement saving over 15 billion dollars.

The closest match our imaginary human resource interview obtained was with Ronald Reagan who graduated Eureka College with a degree in Economics and was a Captain in the United States Army Reserve and United States Army Air Corps. Some considered Reagan one of the the greatest presidents in US history.

Don't depend entirely on the media for help choosing a president as they are mostly liberal and one sided.

Reports vs Commentators

Reporters as examples were Walter Cronkite or Edward R. Murrow. They reported the news as it was and as it happened. Commentators are people who bloviate such as Keith Olbermann of the MSNBC cable channel. Andrea Mitchell another so called commentator considers herself queen-like recently stating “that only stupid Hillary supporters will vote for Sarah Palin.” John Roberts of CBS news making with his sexist comment about Sarah Palin's motherly qualifications stating that she would be better off staying home raising her children including her downs syndrome one. Jack Cafferty of CNN makes it very clear his hate for the Republican Party and John McCain. Jack as well as many will be very happy if his democratic party wins and passes the “Fairness Doctrine” giving the conservatives equal or more time to rebut him right after he spews. Commentators have an agenda and will only provide personal or network views with little or no facts. Sadly to say there are no true reporters anymore.

How do I educate myself to choose the most qualified candidate for president?

Take time and study the true facts. Read both conservative and liberal newspapers. Listen to AM talk radio and watch MSNBC, CNN and Fox and analyze the commentators views for truth and clarity. Ask questions to others and debate issues. Use the Internet to obtain facts from confirmed and established sites. Listen to plans, details and facts stated by the candidates and filter the rhetoric.

In the end you will make the right choice. Whether he wins or looses, is black or white, old or young, speaks funny or is more groomed, you will have made an educated choice.

Your comments on this article are always appreciated.