Sunday, January 31, 2016

The Question that Has Yet Been Asked of Presidential Candidates

 We have been given many examples of policies candidates would implement if elected president. I come down on the side of those who have had executive experience in government.

The question I would like somebody to ask every candidate is this – Since the president has limited power to do things unilaterally and since we cannot assume or predict the makeup of the House and Senate, how would you get the Congress to support the policies you have proposed if you do not have a safe majority of those that agree with you in Congress?

Strong rhetoric doesn't guarantee any new policy will be embraced by a new Congress. We need a president who has experience in negotiating his or her way to a desired outcome. We need a president with experience and success with interacting with others who have leverage on their side equal to the president. I spent many years working in the Executive and Congressionl branches of the Federal Government. I saw that facts, the right timing, respect for other, integrity, reason, and persuasion were very important traits to have and practice. My time in government also taught me, change in and by government takes a ton of time. Government is like a battleship. It turns in new directions, but ever so slowly. We need a president that understands how government works, appreciates the importance of allies and support, and understands that opposition cannot be ignored or dismissed, but must be worked with to find common ground.

All candidates are right about one thing, we cannot afford a president who will need to spend 18 months learning how two branches of government work and work together.

I hope those of you who are the first to say who the presidential candidates will be will think about my comments. A lot is at stake. The good news is that many people understand that this time around and are engaged.

Thank you.
Common Grounder