Becoming President

How hard is it to be elected president? Sure it's a daunting task, and only 43 men have ever done it, but is it really as difficult as we imagine?

I think I have much higher odds of becoming president than say, winning the Nobel Peace Prize, saving the environment, or sparking the next great awakening...

Think about it: the path to becoming president is a fairly predictable arc. Win some low-level political office (there are thousands of these jobs no one wants), parlay it into a state senate seat (requires rich friends, but those can be won with certain favors), vote noncommittally for about 6 years, and then run for U.S. Congress (and continue to make rich friends).

At this point, you can either aim straight for the White House, or throw your hat in for governor, but watch out--the governordom is full of potholes (see hookers and gay sex scandals). Up until 2008, you almost had to become a governor to become president, but times are changing (see McCain, Clinton, and Obama).

As you run, if you can keep the focus on your story (humble beginnings, service of the country, or I Married a President and Did More Than the Laundry) and off the issues, you can be a party nominee. From there, it's so easy: Just say "Change" a lot if your party doesn't currently hold the office of president, and if it does, give people a sense of comfort and security--speak well of what's going on, showing stability and knowledge of the inner workings of government and the world's leaders.

Oh, and get a simple name: Grant, Hayes, Carter, Bush, Reagan, Clinton, Hoover, Taylor, Polk, or Adams will do.

Comments

[J. Andree]

Governors have one distinct advantage - lack of voting records. Nobody knows what they really think (or if they can think at all, as in the case of the current Gov turned Prez).

[paula]

Actually, only 42 men have done this, seeing as Cleveland was elected before and after Harrison...making him President #22 and 24...just FYI honey!!