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Steve_A's avatar

What are the qualifications for people who run for congress,president,etc...?

Asked by Steve_A (5130points) March 11th, 2010

Like education wise or other qualifications what is it they know, do or have learned that makes them the right person for the job?

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23 Answers

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YARNLADY's avatar

The Heritage Magazine has articles on each president with that information. Many were lawyers, most had college educations, but not all.

Steve_A's avatar

Well I know for the president is

“In order for a person to become President, he or she must be a natural-born citizen of the United States, be at least 35 years of age, and have resided in the United States for at least 14 years. Once elected, the President serves a term of four years and may be re-elected only once. ”

but what kind of education,things they did,etc… To get into that kind position? I suppose technically you don’t need anything, as long you meet the requirements but surely they have some kind of experience?

plethora's avatar

Apparently none if our present Congress is representative. President too, for that matter.

faye's avatar

14 years-what an odd number to choose.

Steve_A's avatar

I found this on Obama.

http://www.americanheritage.com/people/presidents/obama_barack.shtml

Education: Occidental College; Columbia University (B.A., 1983); Harvard Law School (J.D., 1991)
Occupations Before Presidency: Law Professor; Community Organizer

YARNLADY's avatar

For the qualifications of the current president see the White House biography. He worked his was through college, and completed Harvard Law school, taught law, and served as a United States senator.

YARNLADY's avatar

@Steve_A You beat me to it.

Steve_A's avatar

http://www.ehow.com/how_136497_become-president-united.html

It looks like you need a law degree that much is for certain which is logical I think

“Hold a law degree. Out of 43 presidents, 25 have been lawyers. It also helps to have government service on your re’sume’—17 governors, 15 senators and 19 members of the House of Representatives have become president.”

helloeveryone's avatar

1: you have to be old.
2: you have to be completely retarded. (not literally)
3: and apparently you have to be a man.
there we go. hopefully this will post on the right question this time lol

davidbetterman's avatar

You must be able to lie, cheat and steal without blinkng an eye. You must be able to put children, women and old folks out into the dtreets in the dead of winter with a smile on your face.
In short, you must have absolutely no scruples whatever.

whatthefluther's avatar

Well, if you ever want to be elected or re-elected, you must learn to walk an incredibly thin tightrope with consideration, and in some cases, what appears to be no consideration to:
1. what you believe in your heart to be the right thing
2. what you believe your constituents (voters) believe is the right thing
3. what you believe your major financial supporters/campaign contributors believe is the right thing.
A lack of consideration to any one of the above, or an inability to effectively communicate your considerations and thought processes to everyone’s satisfaction, will likely find you unable to sleep at night or not elected/re-elected. Of course, if you are void of conscience/ethics or are dealing with idiots, some charm, a bit of fast talk and a big smile can go a long way.
See ya…..Gary/wtf

dpworkin's avatar

You have to have the skills to raise a great deal of money; you have to please a certain group of men; you have to become adept at what is known as “going along to get along”, and you have to prove your worth to the elite who bought you so that they will want to buy you again, so, as an example, you will certainly not pass a comprehensive health care bill, unless you want to get sent back to Podunk.

Cruiser's avatar

You have to be able to touch your toes and know to not ask questions regarding little brown envelopes.

ragingloli's avatar

One needs to be a Christian and have the financial and propagandist support of the corporate media and the corporate elite.

lilikoi's avatar

There are only two: Money and electability (i.e. popularity).

CyanoticWasp's avatar

Minimal. Campaigns have been run from jail cells, so even “convicted of a crime” isn’t a disqualification.

Bluefreedom's avatar

- a lack of morals and ethics
– greediness
– selfishness
– a poor conscience
– manipulative
– hypocritical
– good prevarication skills

YARNLADY's avatar

@Bluefreedom OUCH, I was considering running.

Bluefreedom's avatar

@YARNLADY. I was a little brutal in my answer there. This might not apply to all politicians but I think there is a little of what I listed above in many politicians nowadays. It’s the nature of the beast. If you run though, you’d get my vote. You’re an exception to the rule in my previous answer. =)

plethora's avatar

@Bluefreedom You voted for Obama?...:)

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