The Elusive Formula for the White House

Politicians promising voters who is "fit to lead" bring to mind a cat telling mice where to hide. The current campaign for the White House has become a confusing exercise, with each candidate and their running mate trying to outdo the others on experience, leadership, and charisma. President George W. Bush's own father once joked that the vice president was the man sent to funerals overseas, yet people accuse the current vice president of creating those very funerals. The reality is that there is no formula for the White House, and those running for office should stop trying to define it for us.

Key Takeaways:

• John Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate, praised John Edwards, his new vice-presidential candidate, as fit to lead despite earlier criticism by Kerry that the White House was no place for on-the-job training.
• Edwards responded by telling groups of cheering fans that Kerry was fit to lead despite his own attempts to knock Kerry out of the race earlier this year.
• President George W. Bush quipped that Dick Cheney could be president, but pundits immediately pointed out that Cheney is already the vice president and therefore cannot be president.
• There is no formula for the White House, and the people running for that office should show respect by not trying to define it for voters.
• Bush had only five total years in politics before becoming president and had been a failed businessman and a bit of a runabout who was bailed out by his father's connections.
• Cheney, on the other hand, has had a long career in public office as defense secretary, White House chief of staff, and Wyoming congressman, but his critics say his secrecy, cronyism, and Cold War approach are the kind of thinking that needs to be expelled.
• Kerry has been in politics for a quarter of a century, and his voting record has been criticized by John Edwards and other opponents who say it shows him as a hypocrite, but Kerry's military service is also a significant factor in his campaign.

Statistics:

• Kerry has been in politics for 25 years.
• Bush had five total years in politics before becoming president.
• Cheney has had a total of 25 years in public office as defense secretary, White House chief of staff, and Wyoming congressman.
• Edwards has no military experience.
• Bush and Cheney have zero years of war experience between them.

Sources:

• Mitch Albom, "When Politics Tries to Define 'Fit to Lead'," Detroit Free Press, August 2, 2004.