Quality Control of Presidential Candidates By T.S. Khanna, April 14, 2016

Foundation for Better Government

April 14, 2016

Quality Control of Presidential Candidates.

By T.S. Khanna, April 14, 2016

In old times, ignorant car buyers used to kick tires to evaluate the quality of the car.  These days the ignorant tire kickers are TV correspondents who ask questions for a 30-second response to test out the best presidential candidate.  The quality of presidential debates has degenerated so low that it does not feel like the same civilized country it used to be.  The debates may be conducted by the past presidents or by the Supreme Court judges maintaining a strict code of conduct.

The old belief that anyone can do any government job worked well for rural democracy.  The modern day complexity demands adequately educated, properly trained public officials with incisive analytical ability, sound character, and sober judgment.  Equal candidacy right for all, crowds the field with unfit candidates.  Neither the tire kickers nor the voters, drawing kicks from the political drama, can judge the best candidate.

Besides, debates can give an exposure to the personality of candidates; they are no test of the character, adequacy of knowledge, experience, and training required of a presidential candidate.

To qualify for presidential candidacy, well thought out requisites, in consultation with the past presidents, may be adopted re the candidate’s personal character, academics, voluntary public service, training, experience, etiquette and graces in political interactions, and age limit---lower and higher.  However, it seems that the requisites for presidential candidacy may essentially include (a) one term governorship, and (b) one year understudy with the military chiefs (four months in each wing---Army, Navy, and Air),