http://www.the-scientist.com/community/posts/list/19.page JForum - http://www.jforum.net
[u]Qualities of a Great President[/u]:
assertive
achievement oriented
opinionated, but open-minded
confident
competent
not always entirely honest with us


Looking at these traits, scientists do seem to fit the bill. But would anyone vote for a Scientist? What do you think - would a scientist make a better president?


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Professionals in general (let alone scientists) are not electable. See Colin Powell, Wesley Clark. Anyway in democracy, elected officials are only servants of the people. If there's a problem, it's with the electorate.

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Professionals in general (let alone scientists) are not electable. See Colin Powell, Wesley Clark. Anyway in democracy, elected officials are only servants of the people. If there's a problem, it's with the electorate.
[/quote]

The question is [u][b]not[/b][/u] would the US ever elect a scientist as the president. For this topic let's assume a scientist "could" win the election, would they make a better president?

McCain versus Jim Watson? Or Obama versus Douglas Melton? Would a scientist do a better job then the typical politician?
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[b]A.[/b] Suggested criteria

- "...would a scientist do a better job as a president..."?

- "Qualities of a Great President: assertive, achievement oriented, opinionated but open-minded, confident, competent, not always entirely honest with us"


[b]B.[/b] Only personality-related criteria?

Is this a "scientific" reflection about presidential criteria?

Personality:
1 : the complex of characteristics that distinguishes an individual or a nation or group; especially : the totality of an individual's behavioral and emotional characteristics b: a set of distinctive traits and characteristics
2 : distinction or excellence of personal and social traits; also : a person having such quality, a person of importance, prominence, renown, or notoriety

[b]C.[/b] Relevant Performance(s) record not included in criteria, only personal traits

Is our presidential election just a super big beauty contest?

Kitsch:
1 : something that appeals to popular or lowbrow taste and is often of poor quality
2 : a tacky or lowbrow quality or condition


A worried elderly US citizen,

Dov Henis

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In recent conversations with many peers, it seems quite apparent that racism is still a major issue in the US. I know too many people who are voting for McCain because he is white, and looks like the other 43 presidents before. This thought process sickens me. Especially when you consider that I live in NJ. I can't imagine what the racism in the south is like! People believe all the planted stories that make Obama out to be a enemy rather than positive change. When confronted with the truth, a few people actually laugh that 'I buy into that'.
What do people think will happen if a non 'white' president takes office?

If McCain wins, I'm moving to Europe! ]]> http://www.the-scientist.com/community/posts/preList/161/583.page http://www.the-scientist.com/community/posts/preList/161/583.page GMT I'm a moderator on a science-discussion website and we've had two posts so far containing complaints that Obama is "too smart" and uses language aimed at "the elite". Both posts were difficult to read due to spelling, grammar and punctuation errors.
But I'm serious about this. We have a lot of citizens who are uncomfortable with any candidate who sounds like they went to a "KALIJ".

If McCain wins, I'm moving to Europe! See ya over there, Scott!]]> http://www.the-scientist.com/community/posts/preList/161/584.page http://www.the-scientist.com/community/posts/preList/161/584.page GMT