2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumObama: 'Hillary Clinton's The Most Qualified Person 'EVER' To Run For President"
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PJMcK
(23,377 posts)When you ran for reelection in 2012 America voted for the Most Qualified Person Ever to be President. That would be you.
Now, Secretary Clinton is the next Most Qualified Person Ever to be President. See how it works?
MaggieD
(7,393 posts)I mean heck, it took him 4 years to realize nobody in the GOP was going to compromise with him on ANYTHING. Hell, Hillary knew that a long, long time ago.
She literally is the most qualified candidate ever to run. But I guess a woman has to be in order to even get a shot. Men, not so much. Look at the Donald for instance.
MaggieD, we already agree that Secretary Clinton is eminently qualified to be our next president and I will proudly include her in my straight Democratic ballot.
There are two thoughts I'd like to ask you to consider. First, in my post, I didn't suggest that Senator Obama was the most qualified candidate when he ran for his first term. I distinguished that by referring to his reelection by which time he had four years of Republican obstructionism behind him. I give him great credit for all of his attempts to work across the aisle during his first term but, you know, Republicans are jackasses. In his reelection and throughout his second term, he showed us what real spine and dedication to accomplishments can bring in a hostile environment.
My second point is hard to write because I'm about to acknowledge some accomplished Republicans along with Democrats. But facts are facts, so here goes.
When I was born, Dwight Eisenhower was president so the first presidential election in my lifetime was 1960 when JFK was elected. Consider the resumes of the candidates in my lifetime.
John F. Kennedy: Served in the US Navy, Congressman, Senator and Pulitzer Prize winning author
Richard M. Nixon: Served in the US Navy, Congressman, Senator and Vice President
Lyndon B. Johnson: Congressman, Senator (including Senate Majority Whip, Minority Leader and Majority Leader) and Vice President
Barry Goldwater: Served in both the US Army and the US Air Force in World War II and Korea, as a Senator chaired the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee
Hubert Humphrey: Mayor of Minneapolis, Senator (including Senate Majority Whip) and Vice President
George McGovern: Historian, Author, Served in the US Air Force, Congressman and Senator
Gerald Ford: Served in the US Navy, Congressman, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, House Minority Leader and Vice President
Jimmy Carter: Served in the US Navy, Georgia State Senator and Governor of Georgia
Ronald Reagan: Served in the US Army Air Forces, President of the Screen Actors' Guild (a union!) and Governor of California
Walter Mondale: Served in the US Army, Attorney General of Minnesota, Senator and Vice President
George H.W. Bush: Served in the US Navy, Congressman, successful businessman, Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairperson of the Republican National Committee, Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office to the People's Republic of China, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and Vice President
Michael Dukakis: Served in the US Army, Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Governor of Massachusetts
William J. Clinton: Rhodes Scholar, Attorney General of Arkansas, Governor of Arkansas
Albert Gore: Served in the US Army, Congressman, Senator and Vice President
George W. Bush: Served (allegedly) in the Texas Air National Guard, businessman in oil and baseball and Governor of Texas.
John Kerry: Served in the US Navy, Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts and Senator
Barack Obama: Community organizer, Author, Illinois State Senator and Senator
John McCain: Served in the US Navy, Congressman and Senator
Mitt Romney: Successful businessman, CEO of the Salt Lake City Olympics, Governor of Massachusetts
I think that any objective view of these men's resumes would have to observe that they are extremely accomplished.
Once again, I concur that Secretary Clinton is accomplished and has an impressive resume. I'll support her with some money and my vote. Meanwhile, let's keep some perspective with our hyperbole!
MaggieD
(7,393 posts)She is the most qualified candidate to ever run.
My admiration for Secretary Clinton is solid.
It also took me quite a bit of research to provide that list of resumes, so cut me a little slack, here!
My point is that with the exception of several outliers, like Donald Trump, the men who've been nominated for president have not been lightweights. They very well may have been idiots, like Donald Trump or George W. Bush, but they had accomplished careers. Mrs. Clinton is truly an accomplished professional and I'll be proud to vote for her on November 8th.
We're still on the same side and we'll all be happy on November 9th!
MaggieD
(7,393 posts)Just said I agree with Obama. You appear to be making your list based on jobs held. I'm thinking about actual achievements. 
PJMcK
(23,377 posts)In any event, we're allies against the Dark Side, MaggieD!
I disagree, but wonder why you think she is the most qualified. I'd argue that any president who ran for a second term is more qualified (though not necessarily a better candidate) after having spent 4 years on the job. And thinking historically, I would argue that the three most qualified candidates ever are Lincoln, T. Roosevelt and F. Roosevelt when they ran for reelection.
treestar
(82,383 posts)Thanks!
Hillary: lawyer, Senator, Secretary of State. First Lady years count in some way to me, she was working. That's a great gig, because you can make whatever you want of it.
Another aspect is personality and temperament, for that, Obama may well be the most qualified person ever. He was just made for that job.
NWCorona
(8,541 posts)Look at what he's accomplished in spite of the Republicans obstructionism.
And why bring gender into it?
KMOD
(7,906 posts)Hillary Clinton has accomplished in spite of Republican obstructionism as well.
Gender absolutely belongs in the conversation, since it's been used to try to keep her down. Yet she keeps on going. I have huge respect for her tenacity.
NWCorona
(8,541 posts)And yes I do agree that sexism plays a role in some of the hate but the comment was IMO very broad. Especially considering even though some here might disagree we all should share the same goal in defeating Trump.
There is no way we can let trump anywhere near the White House.
MaggieD
(7,393 posts)Has nothing to do with what he accomplished as president. She was flat out more qualified than him when they ran. No question about it. Love the guy, but that is the truth.
Why bring gender into it? Because a woman has to be 10x more qualified than a man just to be seen in the same sphere. That's how we roll in this country. Sadly.
Zen Democrat
(5,901 posts)Qualifications are irrelevant. JFK was called unqualified. Jimmy Carter was called unqualified. Barack Obama was called unqualified. Those are my three favorite Presidents in my lifetime. Harry Truman was before my time and he was certainly unqualified too.
So it makes no difference whatsoever.
Zen Democrat
(5,901 posts)He held a mirror to the fascist right a/k/a the Republican Party and invited them to throw everything but the sink at him. The entire country is sick all right. They are sick that they've been taught to despise Democrats, and now their own party has exposed their insanity, which has been there all along. At least since Newt came on the scene. Now they are going to take a hard fall and all the kings horses and all the kings men won't be able to put the GOP back together again.
That's going to be the Obama legacy. He encouraged them to show themselves and oh boy did they. The White Supremacists stepped right up and identified themselves. A president with brown skin brought them out of the shadows. They are the base of the modern GOP, and they killed it in Obama hate. And all Obama ever did was invite them over to watch the Super Bowl.
Obama won. He'll go down as one of the most brilliant leaders in our history. Just hide and watch, (lol).
Lord Magus
(1,999 posts)An incumbent president, if they're not awful at the job, has the obvious advantage of 4 years experience actually being president. And Hillary's gotten more qualified for the job than she was in 08.
onehandle
(51,122 posts)Oh, wait...
speaktruthtopower
(800 posts)was pretty qualified after three terms.
caquillo
(521 posts)Hillary is definitely more qualified than Obama was in 2008; heck, she was more qualified then.
But I see above that haters gotta hate. I just wish they would do it someplace other than a site designed to support Democrats instead of trashing them.
CrowCityDem
(2,348 posts)It has to be a big advantage to not have to spend any time getting acclimated to the role, the responsibilities, the relationships that make government work. Even for someone like President Obama, there was a definite learning curve at thee start that might have meant the difference between a few things getting done and not.
Travis_0004
(5,417 posts)Author of the deceleration of independence, ambassador to france, governor, secretary of state, and vice president?
karynnj
(60,172 posts)I think either Biden or Kerry running now would be as qualified as she -- both being long term senior Senators running important committees and VP and SoS respectively. The hard thing to quantify for HRC is how to weigh First Lady - of AR and the USA.
However, best resume may not predict best President. That is something that can only be measured when in office. She will have a tough time topping President Obama, whose resume did not show the enormous skills and intelligence he has. At this point, Obama is already an exceptional President with the ACA, the huge task of helping the economy recover, using the EPA to improve our position on energy, and passing regulation for the banks and Wall Street as domestic accomplishments and the Iran nuclear deal, the Paris Climate Change accord and reopening our relationship with Cuba as foreign policy achievements.
I think many people - when they were the nominee were described as the most qualified. In fact, that was said of Al Gore, who was an exceptional VP. It also was said of GHWB.
earthshine
(1,642 posts)Logically, anyone who has already been pres is more qualified than anyone who hasn't.
I don't think anyone who is rational doubts her huge qualifications.
Unfortunately, the vast and varied exeriences that make her so qualified have brought her ongoingly close to the world's power brokers like big oil, wall street at large, players in the military-industrial complex, corrupt foreign gov'ts, etc.
As president, I hope she manages them and not vice versa.
Peace.
mcar
(44,242 posts)caquillo
(521 posts)After Obama called Hillary "the most qualified candidate ever" and the crowd begins chanting "Hillary! Hillary! Hillary! etc"
John Poet
(2,510 posts)State legislator, congressman, U.S. Senator, Ambassador AND Secretary of State, in a career of government service spanning a period of 42 years (1814-1856), Buchanan had longer and more varied experience than just about any presidential candidate, ever, before or since.
Clearly, his presidency was bound to be remembered as one of the greatest, and leave the country stronger and more united than ever before...
Now, of course, versus Trump, Hillary is pretty well-qualified, but let's not take exaggeration to ridiculous extremes.
SFnomad
(3,473 posts)And had the face to faces that Clinton has had? For the time, Buchanan's qualifications would certainly make him the most qualified ... but today, what he had the ability to do, doesn't measure up to today's politicians.
Zen Democrat
(5,901 posts)And he was the most qualified. Just like Dick Cheney was the worst vice president ever, and the most qualified. I'm not crazy about all those pre-existing conditions, if you know what I mean.
jg10003
(1,035 posts)Before being secretary of state.
Lord Magus
(1,999 posts)CobaltBlue
(1,122 posts)There are basic requirements—like natural born citizen and age—for being president of the United States.
Holding any prior offices is not a requirement.
So, this needs to stop.
KMOD
(7,906 posts)is entirely different than qualifications for holding the office.
Trump meets the basic requirements, he is not qualified at all.
Like President Obama, I'm celebrating and acknowledging her tremendous record of achievements, and the incredible knowledge and intelligence that she brings.
CobaltBlue
(1,122 posts)Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are both eligible:
@ http://americanhistory.about.com/od/uspresidents/f/presidential_requirements.htm
KMOD
(7,906 posts)Only one however is qualified.
herding cats
(19,659 posts)I'm reasonably sure they're not. I'm eligable to run for president, but even I wouldn't vote for me based on my qualifications. I'd make quick mess of global relations due to my personal biases, and lack of understanding in relations with other nations.
I'd be a horrific president! Looking to advance my personal ideals and views on everyone in the population. Top it off with the fact that I'm stubborn to a flaw. My veto pen would be perpetually running out of ink under our current Congress. Everyone would despise me before my term was up. I'd make congress look popular by just thumbing my nose at everyone who didn't agree 100% with my views. They're so enlightened, they're irrelevant to me anyway, what do I care about them?
Nothing would get done under my presidency, but I'd go down in the history books! So, there's that, I guess.
Luckily, I'm just a voter. I can be who I am and not destroy the planet earth with my one vote.
Global tragedy averted. 
KMOD
(7,906 posts) 
Lil Missy
(17,865 posts)HRC is the most qualified person in my lifetime to run for President.
treestar
(82,383 posts)Trump thinking his first elective office should be President is outrageous. If he'd at least run for the Senate first, I could have some respect. It's pure ego to think you can go right to the top.
fun n serious
(4,451 posts)I hope to see more of them together. It reminded me of Hillary and Obama 08.
lunamagica
(9,967 posts)
oasis
(52,110 posts) 
bigwillq
(72,790 posts)The Second Stone
(2,900 posts)and no one else ever had that qualification, nor will they ever.
840high
(17,196 posts)
Cha
(308,719 posts)great President she'll make!
Hillary Clinton
✔ ?@HillaryClinton
In a new interview, @POTUS talks about why Hillary has everything it takes to be president.
7:21 AM - 5 Jul 2016
2,647 2,647 Retweets 5,385 5,385 likes
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/07/05/obama-clinton-secretary-of-state/86717070/
KMOD! http://hillaryclintonsupporters.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=124&t=11358&p=92977#p92977
Silver_Witch
(1,820 posts)I think he will be even greater after he leaves the White House. He has a wicked keen sense of humour and great timing.
Jamaal510
(10,893 posts)a battle between the most qualified ever vs. the least qualified ever this November. The contrast between her and the Caterpillar Haired One couldn't be more stark.
treestar
(82,383 posts)very impressive resume, and the Donald has nothing. Not even a successful business man really.
eppur_se_muova
(38,595 posts)... among the major parties.
If only people could read, and think, and recognize BS for what it is (NewsCorp, I'm looking at you) she'd be ahead in the polls by 99%.
riversedge
(74,538 posts)JCanete
(5,272 posts)It's a good sound-byte with little substance behind it. She is the most versed or prepared or thoroughly wonkish candidate ever? That is actually saying something.
Not that I have any reason to be down on Clinton today. Her integration of a free tuition compromise for college has me really hopeful that she's going to offer us something that actually looks like a progressive platform ...not sure why she smirkingly attacked the program as a giveaway to rich people like Trump, since the objective would or should ultimately be to tax the wealthy more to pay for these sorts of programs(which should amount to far more than college tuition), but whatever, now we're getting somewhere, and like I said, I'm daring to be just a little hopeful.
jg10003
(1,035 posts)Richard Nixon; the only president to have served as a congressman, senator, and vice-president before being elected. Al Gore should have been the second (LBJ doesn't count since he wasn't elected).
Buchanan; 10 years a congressman, 10 years a senator, 4 years ambassador to Russia, 4 years as ambassador to England, 4 years secretary of state.
Martin Van Buren; senator, governor of New York, ambassador to England, Secretary of State, Vice-President.
jack_krass
(1,009 posts)She is more qualified than Trump though.