Choosing Presidential Candidate
The 2008 requires a detailed examination of the qualification of the candidates. The leader must garner support from citizens of this nations and the world while leading on issues of economy, foreign affairs and domestic life. The world recoiled when the United States sputtered. The world needs a strong middle class in the United States. The nature of democracy requires that the choice be personal, but standards should prevail.
Education
If the candidate did not strive to accomplish an educational goal, how can you expect them to support educational goals of the citizens of the nation? The president must support an educational system; the candidates must exhibit a strong desire for education for themselves and their immediate families. Family members who have dropped out of high school or failing to enroll in post secondary education should alarm voters.
A professional degree, graduate level education, should be the minimum to understand the subject matter required of the presidency. In order to develop the questions necessary to develop a team of experts or question the cabinet members the candidate needs exposure to higher level thinking skills.
Temperament
The president must maintain a level temperament. The president leads our nation and the free world. During tough times the nation looks to the president for inspiration. Oratory ability appears important in order to accomplish this task, but just as important is that the President can see the nation coming out of the problem as strong as or stronger than before.
On 9/11 we had the mayor of New York City to inspire the nation and show the way out, but the nation wanted guidance from the President on how they could help.
The President must negotiate with foreign leaders. If he exhibits a combative nature, he fails encourage open negotiations. The President as the commander-in-chief must lead the combat rather than fighting the battle.
When an American President insults world leaders, it may take years to turn back the ill feelings even though the leaders may change. Most presidents must negotiate with friends, enemies and some on the fence.
Life Experience
The president must exhibit a wide range of interaction within our society. It includes world travel, social service, and life experience. World travel allows individuals to learn the varying lifestyles of humankind and social service provides the means to examine the American lifestyle.
With the 2008 election, the citizens must examine the candidates and determine which individual provides the highest level of leadership. The problems are too vast to allow skimping on requirements.