Hacker Read

TazeTSchnitzel · 2015-10-05 14:56:55+00:00

Angelic and super-human? There are quite literally millions of candidates who do not have $problem in most cases.

richardwhiuk | karma 4385 | avg karma 2.6 · | 2017-06-03 14:53:49+00:00

There are always about 7 billion candidates. That we narrow the focus to people who are only willing to do the job for 25 million might be the start of your problem.

JustSomeNobody | karma 7775 | avg karma 1.58 · | 2015-09-15 09:53:20

Ah, but the pool isn't really 300+ million. It takes a person with the qualities of a lawyer, used car salesperson, con artist and book maker to even consider running.

I guess this is why many (even intelligent) people think that their favorite candidate is honest.

reply

bitskits | karma 266 | avg karma 2.69 · | 2014-02-15 22:25:50

The barrier to entry for a non-incumbent candidate is so high because of the amount of money incumbents are able to raise. Therefore, a new candidate entering to pose a real challenge is pretty unlikely, and it shouldn't be.

esalman | karma 1562 | avg karma 2.17 · | 2018-05-03 01:59:05+00:00

Yep, you'll be surprised how many candidates list this.

didibus | karma 7356 | avg karma 2.33 · | 2016-10-24 03:23:30+00:00

But all candidates get demonized, and then you choose between the least of both evils. In practice, it results in a similar outcome. Media could paint all candidates as the greatest hero, and you'd pick the bigger Saint of them all.

One style is the complement of the other, so I don't think you make a good point.

reply

mc32 | karma 33963 | avg karma 2.39 · | 2016-03-03 07:57:43+00:00

With the exception of Sanders (whose propositions do not make fiscal sense) all of the candidates, are unbelievable or have had a history of being unbelievable. So, it's not as if there is one [viable candidate]* who is immune to lies, exaggerations, distortions, obfuscation, scandal etc.

Kasich and Carson [and O'Malley?] are "too nice" to win anything.

reply

georgemcbay | karma 14500 | avg karma 4.47 · | 2011-11-29 21:21:26+00:00

Unfortunately it is incredibly rare to find a match for your hypothetical $OPPONENT that is both electable enough that your letter won't be laughed off and who actually fits the description of being a great man (or woman).

woolvalley | karma 1691 | avg karma 1.99 · | 2017-12-04 07:48:18

It's because the vast majority of candidates, including a lot of very good ones, will do none of those things.

runnerup | karma 4068 | avg karma 3.3 · | 2022-04-20 18:21:31

Very few people who run for government are not narcissists.

JasonFruit | karma 6261 | avg karma 3.19 · | 2012-08-28 22:16:12

If all your candidates must be squeaky clean, you're probably ruling out some of the most able. The most law-abiding, unquestioningly tax-paying, physically-fit candidate is probably not the person who has the best understanding of and instinct for foreign affairs, the most ability to inspire, cajole, and back-scratchingly motivate Congresspeople to cooperate with important ideas, and the most ability to quickly to make difficult decisions in no-win situations.

ivanfon | karma 332 | avg karma 3.19 · | 2018-03-26 20:32:53+00:00

I think the majority of the candidates are capable, and a lot of them are probably quite excellent. But when you have that many candidates for so few positions, you have the luxury of really trying to go for the best people.

mcculley | karma 4418 | avg karma 2.39 · | 2023-08-01 10:19:26

Indeed. And many candidates will not deal with what they see as a bad lifestyle no matter the pay.

ZephyrBlu | karma 7568 | avg karma 3.32 · | 2021-05-19 04:02:22+00:00

I've never been on the other side of things, but it's always fascinated me that so many people who have say things like this.

It's hard for me to fathom that such a large proportion of candidates are terrible.

reply

gnaritas | karma 6282 | avg karma 1.48 · | 2015-10-29 15:07:54

Not so different from there, where our candidates are chosen by those from the wealthy. No access to large sums of money, no viable candidacy.

LeoNatan25 | karma 3174 | avg karma 2.35 · | 2020-03-08 00:27:18

Yes, sadly my experience is very similar. The more confident a candidate is, usually the poorer they are.

bbarnett | karma 5933 | avg karma 1.55 · | 2023-10-20 05:25:45

But that's insane! These candidates hold people's lives in their hands, and they just hured unqualified candidates!

kube-system | karma 21374 | avg karma 2.36 · | 2022-08-12 22:40:23

Because they are candidates with experience in investigating many of the same problems that plague their platform.

hiccuphippo | karma 1411 | avg karma 2.0 · | 2018-11-13 12:45:15

But the candidate doesn't have that many options so they have to put up with what they can get. It's thw law of offer and demand.

fasdf1122 | karma -7 | avg karma -0.32 · | 2021-02-12 18:43:52

Nope, I just assume they are under qualified. They are the best of a very small arbitrary group of people, but probably much less qualified then the general candidate pool.