"I Nominate for the Next President of the United States"

[micro 0]

Remember Robert Fulghum? Sure you do. He's the self-professed libertarian dude that wrote All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, It Was on Fire When I Lay Down on It, and others. They've been enjoyable reads, for the most part, I would say.

Well, while looking up his website to be sure I spelled his name write for another thread in Bonfire ("Poll: Morbid Question"), I found this entry that he wrote... It's, well, an... interesting proposition... what do you think?

---------------

August 14, 2006
From Seattle, Washington
Written at the beginning of August, 2006

Going about in the world wearing my writer’s goggles looking for ideas is like traveling with a camera and always looking for the next photograph. Not only do I miss some things, but the fields of my mind don’t lie fallow in preparation for the next season of planting. So I stepped aside from creative work and have been lazy for six weeks - floating without paddling. Meanwhile, the committee in the back room of my head has been quietly cutting kindling and stacking firewood for the next season. I’ve waited for their insistent knock: “Hello! Ready when you are.” And I’m ready.

I NOMINATE FOR THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:

Here’s my thinking, provoked by Newt Gingrich (remember him?) who made the prescient comment that the Democrats should run for office during these next two years under the banner of “HAD ENOUGH?” And if the answer is “YES!” then it’s time to get actively involved in the next round of elections already in process. And to get actively engaged in the election of the next president, a process that will crank up loud and strong immediately after the first Tuesday in November.

Sitting with friends this week out on the porch in the light of the full moon we set aside the anguished “Ain’t it awful” small talk about the events in the Middle East and England, and moved to speculation about candidates for president who could win. A clear consensus: the Republican Party would go with Senator McCain. He could win. And the Democratic Party?

Al Sharpton finally? Al Gore? What’s-his-name who was the VP candidate with Kerry? Kerry? Liberman? Richardson from New Mexico? Nancy Pelosi? And, of course, Hillary? Consensus: No. Not electable. None.

So who? And what are the qualifications of someone who is electable?

1. Already very well known and respected.
2. No heavy baggage in personal life, political position, or military record.
3. Successful in their life endeavors.
4. Independently wealthy.
5. Telegenic, media savvy, and comfortable in the public arena.
6. Proven managerial ability.
7. Credibility with women and minorities.
8. Well connected to power outside the beltway.
9. Intelligent and street-smart.
10. Cool under fire.
11. Cultured but not elitist.
12. Well known outside the United States - respected and trusted.
13. Attractive to the middle - not a polarizer.
14. Broad spectrum social values.
15. Middle aged.
16. Capable of rallying large-scale and broad support.
17. Has a base that crosses all religious and political lines and includes no extremist or radical identification.
18. Proven ability to delegate.
19. Tough and resilient and hard-working.
20. A “have” who is compassionate toward the “have-nots.”

Nobody, you say?

Oprah Winfrey I say.

Really? Yes. I’m quite serious.

Woman, minority, self-made billionaire, manager of a broad empire in television and publishing, and - according to many polls - the most respected public figure in America. And. She meets all 20 of our requirements.

“But I can’t stand her show,” comes the wailing complaint.
Think beyond that. Think big. And stack her up against the likes of Ronald Reagan, Bush One, Bush Two, Nixon, Ford, or even Hoover.
And Remember Harry Truman.

President Oprah Winfrey.

Think about it.

I miss Lee.
And JP.
And Chris. And...

[NWFlyer 2]

I doubt she'd do it.

But it's an intriguing idea.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[headoverheels 334]

Would Tom Cruise come and jump on the couch in the oval office?

[Skyrad 0]

Yea, why not? She'd have to be an improvement on any of the other runners and the current president.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[Samurai136 0]

Does that mean we get Dr Phil as Vice Pres?

"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian
Ken

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

Does that mean we get Dr Phil as Vice Pres?

Nope, but he'd be a great Sec. of Hugs on special assignment for the POTUS. Think about it, any time there's a major disaster, he'd be there giving out hugs and tough advice.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Royd 0]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Does that mean we get Dr Phil as Vice Pres?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote

Nope, but he'd be a great Sec. of Hugs on special assignment for the POTUS. Think about it, any time there's a major disaster, he'd be there giving out hugs and tough advice.

How's that working for you?