General Discussion

MADem

(135,425 posts)

29. No. The First Spouse does a lot of that ribbon cutting and hand shaking crap.

Fri Nov 1, 2013, 12:37 AM

Nov 2013

State dinners are so that leaders of foreign countries can meet with the POTUS. The dinner is a bonus at the end of the meetings, if they're done right-Bush didn't know how to do it; JFK, Clinton and Obama did--ya gotta have THE BEST entertainment...the absolute BEST.

Foreign dignitaries don't want to meet with some ceremonial assclown. They're not just here for the food, they're here to do a little work, too.

It's not a good idea. Expensive, wasteful, pointless. One more jerk on the payroll.

We do occasionally appoint ambassadors-at-large for this or that...cultural stuff, health, disasters, etc.

Even the PM of UK doesn't fluff off all the diplomacy on the Queen, and the only time she gets a state dinner over here is when she's touring and looking at horseflesh. UK PMs get "official" dinners here, too--same shit, different name. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/post/white-house-dinner-for-david-cameron-an-official-dinner-not-state-dinner/2012/03/09/gIQABxPd5R_blog.html

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Should the ceremonial duties of the Presidency be a separate, non-governing office? [View all] True Blue Door Oct 2013 OP

Didn't we appoint Dennis Rodman already? jberryhill Oct 2013 #1

There could be a different office for celebrities we just want to go away. True Blue Door Oct 2013 #4

I thought that was one of the First Lady/VP/VP's wife unofficial duties?? Blue_Tires Oct 2013 #2

Sure, but they're not really suited to it. True Blue Door Oct 2013 #6

no true, the First Lady is able to get attention for causes like Michelle OBama and healty eating JI7 Oct 2013 #15

Yes, they can bring attention to causes. But so can any other celebrity. True Blue Door Oct 2013 #16

i don't think others would have as much influence JI7 Oct 2013 #19

This came up back during Reagan's admin. Gidney N Cloyd Oct 2013 #3

Naturally, being an actor. True Blue Door Oct 2013 #7

The U.S. Presidency is the only office in the world that combines the heads of government and state. KamaAina Oct 2013 #5

Yeah, it's probably not a good idea over the long-term to have cultural and political power unified. True Blue Door Oct 2013 #8

Many countries combine the roles. There's a reason "presidential system" is a term. (nt) Posteritatis Oct 2013 #9

What do you think of the MC USA idea though? True Blue Door Oct 2013 #10

Also the Philippines, Liberia, Kenya, most of Latin America... Recursion Nov 2013 #24

I think it's a good idea, but the person should be appointed to the office by the President, because shraby Oct 2013 #11

The Secretary of State represents the President. MC USA would be a purely ceremonial office. True Blue Door Oct 2013 #12

No, some of these ceremonial things is part of what makes the President be seen in a certain way JI7 Oct 2013 #13

I don't think a President needs to be seen in that way. True Blue Door Oct 2013 #14

The power of accreditation and pardon generally lie with the ceremonial head Recursion Nov 2013 #26

Maybe get rid of the office of president, altogether? JEdwards8th Oct 2013 #17

Strangest thing that I have ever heard. Why don't we elect co-President? bluestate10 Oct 2013 #18

yup JI7 Oct 2013 #20

I like the idea of Hillary focusing on policy while Bill handles the ceremonial stuff (nt) Nye Bevan Oct 2013 #21

No Pretzel_Warrior Oct 2013 #22

separation of patriotism and state now! MisterP Nov 2013 #23

Generally in systems like that the head of state has at least theoretical authority... Recursion Nov 2013 #25

California has a reporter who could serve as a double... fadedrose Nov 2013 #27

Since Vice-Presidents no longer do the job they really were supposed to be doing PoliticAverse Nov 2013 #28

No. The First Spouse does a lot of that ribbon cutting and hand shaking crap. MADem Nov 2013 #29

no gopiscrap Nov 2013 #30

Don't be so conservative. Think about the proposition. True Blue Door Nov 2013 #31