by Y Tian

Created on: January 15, 2008

Running for a presidential election and actually being a president is entirely two different matters. During the election campaign, all you have to do is make inspiring speeches, do public interviews, point out the flaws in your opponents and most importantly, motivate people to vote for you. You are essentially trying to sell yourself as the voice of America. A president, on the other hand, is a different matter. You have to manage the day-to-day workings of the country (including the flagging American economy and property market), handle diplomatic talks with representatives from other powerful and not-so-powerful nations and generally, be a good leader. You are essentially the opponent that you shot down in the past, with other people now clambering towards you, anticipating every wrong move you make. There lies a lot of difference between being a presidential candidate and an actual president.

Senator Hillary Clinton has and is still running a very convincing and determined presidential campaign. And why not? With former president Bill Clinton as her husband, a large crowd of supporters that she has essentially gained by default and a wealth of important contacts and friends, it's difficult to see her presidential campaign as anything but convincing. More importantly, if she is elected as the next president of America, she has the experience she has gained during her husband's presidential reign, a group of advisers that will help her along the way, the familiarity of visiting other countries and talking to their leaders and powerful contacts that will come to her help whenever she needs them. Thus, under the given circumstances, yes, she has the capabilities of doing a good job.

But the question lies in would she, as an individual, be an effective president? I think not. Firstly, the only reason she is even running a presidential campaign in the first place is because of the support of her husband, former president Bill Clinton. Without him and his supporters, Hillary would not have had the edge she currently possesses over the other candidates. Furthermore, she, without the help she gets from all her advisers, would not have the capabilities of handling such an important position. Sure, while she has lived in the white house for eight years and has had dealings with representatives from other countries, that was merely her duty as the first lady. Being a socialite and a president are completely different matters. We've already got a glimpse of how inexperienced she is at talking about the problems this nation is currently facing. She would merely cackle her way through the interview and leave reporters and answer-seekers perplexed. Is this what we truly want our president to be like?

So, given the current situation, yes, Hillary Clinton would be able to do a good job considering how much help she is able to receive from those around her and what a lucky position she has landed herself in. However, Senator Clinton, as an individual, would not be able to be an effective president.

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