USA Politics

[LooseCannon]

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

It could be, yes.  Though then they would be in the same situation the US is in now.

But yes.  Notice how I kept comparing the candidates, just like the title of the thread

In it's past, the US has had some presidents who had very little executive experience...presidents like JFK (2-term senator, 3 term congressman), Abe Lincoln (lawyer and 2-term congressman), and George Washington (General, but no political experience).

Of course, there are examples on the less awesome end of the spectrum...Ulysses Grant and Zachary Taylor come to mind.

 

[Deano]

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

I still wish Al Gore would have jumped in on this one, damn!

I'm getting ready to study Barrack's platform in a little more detail, glad I've got my Mountain Dew with me.........

 

[LooseCannon]

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

I think Al Gore could have won in a landslide, given the general trending towards the Democrats in this election, how close it was last time, how ineffective Ralph Nader is this time, and his significantly increased place in the world.

 

[Wästed The Great]

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

I understand that both Washington and Lincoln were short on expierence, but don't you think that this world is so different from that one, having more 'time in the saddle' is more important than it once was? 

 

[LooseCannon]

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

Lincoln inherited a Union that was about to be torn apart by civil war.  Washington was given the responsibility of creating the ordinance of a nation, as well as dealing with the English and French and Spanish in the region.  JFK was given a Cuba that had just been taken by the Communists.

Leadership isn't always something that can be learned - some men and women have it within them.  And some presidents, no matter how many businesses they ran nor how many years they governed a state for, don't have it.

 

[Wästed The Great]

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

After my last post, I got to thinking about that: leadership itself being what is important.  If you can lead, inspire, and make the people believe, you can do many things.  You are right, it is more about leading than managing. 

 

[Deano]

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

And some presidents, no matter how many businesses they ran nor how many years they governed a state for, don't have it.

WHAMO!

After my last post, I got to thinking about that: leadership itself being what is important.  If you can lead, inspire, and make the people believe, you can do many things.  You are right, it is more about leading than managing. 

Leadership is an ever evolving endeavor. Great leaders need to be able to, and especially willing to, learn something new everyday. True leaders also need to not fear taking inspiration and sometimes guidance from those in their charge. No one ever takes a leadership role as a perfect leader, the art must be continuously honed from experience and learning from occasional mistakes.

 

[Wästed The Great]

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

Leadership is an ever evolving endeavor. Great leaders need to be able to, and especially willing to, learn something new everyday. True leaders also need to not fear taking inspiration and sometimes guidance from those in their charge. No one ever takes a leadership role as a perfect leader, the art must be continuously honed from experience and learning from occasional mistakes.

I agree with that.  I also think that being a good leader means being a great at picking people for the right position.  I've met managers that are good at managing, per se, but just don't lead or pick people that well. 

I'm guessing, Deano, but probably in the military, you find superiors that are just 'managers' and others that are 'leaders'-- and there is prob a huge difference.

 

[Deano]

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

That can be an especially difficult task, particularly is this great city called Washington.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

[...] this great city called Washington.

It is indeed great. I recommend the bar at the Mayflower Hotel. I had a great time there!

Say hello to Sam for me if you ever go there. 

 

[Wästed The Great]

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

That can be an especially difficult task, particularly is this great city called Washington.

Sure, I'd believe that.  Makes those that can do it well that much more impressive.

I am getting antsy to see what happens with the VP nominations out there.  I'm not a very patient person, and I wanna know NOW!  The thing that worries me, is that they will pick someone that really doesn't fit the bill.  There have been some good recommendations here on this thread, but it seems that the choice that 'makes sense' won't make it.  I am prepared to be disappointed.

 

[LooseCannon]

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

Leadership is an ever evolving endeavor.

Which is why Lieutenants should never tell their Sergeants and Warrants what to do, right?

 

[Deano]

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

Which is why Lieutenants should never tell their Sergeants and Warrants what to do, right?

Lieutenants are at the mercy of their NCOs and SNCOs. The smart ones know to lay low and seek a TON of guidance. The ones that want to wear the big boy pants from the very beginning often find themselves in a world of hurt and often unable to continue their careers.

It is indeed great. I recommend the bar at the Mayflower Hotel. I had a great time there!

Say hello to Sam for me if you ever go there. 

Never heard of it Mav, as I don't frequently travel into the city itself; but based on the recommendation, I will check it out.... and will certainly tell Sam hello.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

It's called Town & Country, but I must warn you: it's pretty posh and quite expensive.

 

[Wästed The Great]

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

Sounds like a great place to have the next guy that gets a promotion buy a round, huh?

 

[Anonymous]

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

I got bought many rounds there. 

 

[Deano]

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

Just had 3 guys get promoted today to the rank I used to be. I think they owe me...... 

I'll have to let them know about this place; I can be posh and expensive when I have to be.

 

[LooseCannon]

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

Lieutenants are at the mercy of their NCOs and SNCOs. The smart ones know to lay low and seek a TON of guidance. The ones that want to wear the big boy pants from the very beginning often find themselves in a world of hurt and often unable to continue their careers.

I've never seen my dad so mad as when an Acting Sub-Lieutenant (O-2 grade) with 2 months experience told him (A Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class) what to do.

 

[SinisterMinisterX]

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

I am getting antsy to see what happens with the VP nominations out there.  I'm not a very patient person, and I wanna know NOW!

There's a general strategic principle at work here: Never publicly commit to a specific course of action until you have to. Revealing your plans early only gives your opponent more time to develop his opposing strategy.

I'm guessing that Obama would prefer to delay his pick until early August (a few weeks before the convention). He'll want all the time he can get to consider the candidates, and only commit when he has to. He might have to pick sooner if McCain picks a VP first - but since Obama's convention is first, and McCain will also want time to pick, I expect McCain will wait for Obama to pick a VP.

I'm not sure about this, but I seem to remember July being the usual month for VP picks. However, the conventions are later than usual this year by a couple of weeks, so the VP picks should also be later.

 

[Wästed The Great]

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

That makes sense to me.  I saw that Jim Webb was on The Daily Show last night, and the last thing Jon Stewart asked him was "Are you going to be Vice-President?"  Webb didn't really answer, just stated something like 'after seeing your coveage, maybe I don't want to be'  (thats not exact, but close).  Sounds promising.