Tretakoff Musings
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Who should be our next president?
Now that the Democrats are back in charge in Congress, and ready to screw things up as they are wont to do, we can cast our eyes to the next election that matters: 2008.
For the first time in many years, the President will not be running for re-election, nor will his Vice-President be running. The top candidates for the Democrats? Two rising stars: Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama; a woman and a black man, neither of which have yet to be elected to the highest office in the land. This is not to say they are not the best of the best, but there are added obstacles to overcome. On the Republican side, John McCain is the only good bet (though he's a warhawk and seriously damaged his "straight-talk" reputation by pandering to the religious Right). Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, is often mentioned: a Mormon and a sitting Republican Governor when his state legalized gay marriage. Yeah, that'll work.
It's time for a fresh new approach. In the last election, Michael Moore had a crazy idea that actually made sense: instead of running the usual wooden Democrat, draft Oprah Winfrey to run. She already has enough money, and is clearly beloved. Skeletons in the closet? She wears them proudly. I still think she'd be a viable candidate in this upcoming election: who could attack Oprah?
However, I am ready to concede that there is one other person who could inspire people from both parties, has a proven track record of success, and is clearly focused on world affairs. And some other folks have already started to draft him.
Bill Gates.
Let it sink in a second. Let the laughter die down. Get the "he could just BUY the country" jokes out of the way. Ok, feel better? Now think about it: why not? Could he not be just what this country needs in a globalized world? Who better understands the issues that need to be overcome, and can inspire with success and leadership?
Scott Adams of Dilbert fame is on board, and the more I think about it, the more I like it. Now, let's get Oprah as VP, and we have a slam dunk.
For the first time in many years, the President will not be running for re-election, nor will his Vice-President be running. The top candidates for the Democrats? Two rising stars: Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama; a woman and a black man, neither of which have yet to be elected to the highest office in the land. This is not to say they are not the best of the best, but there are added obstacles to overcome. On the Republican side, John McCain is the only good bet (though he's a warhawk and seriously damaged his "straight-talk" reputation by pandering to the religious Right). Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, is often mentioned: a Mormon and a sitting Republican Governor when his state legalized gay marriage. Yeah, that'll work.
It's time for a fresh new approach. In the last election, Michael Moore had a crazy idea that actually made sense: instead of running the usual wooden Democrat, draft Oprah Winfrey to run. She already has enough money, and is clearly beloved. Skeletons in the closet? She wears them proudly. I still think she'd be a viable candidate in this upcoming election: who could attack Oprah?
However, I am ready to concede that there is one other person who could inspire people from both parties, has a proven track record of success, and is clearly focused on world affairs. And some other folks have already started to draft him.
Bill Gates.Let it sink in a second. Let the laughter die down. Get the "he could just BUY the country" jokes out of the way. Ok, feel better? Now think about it: why not? Could he not be just what this country needs in a globalized world? Who better understands the issues that need to be overcome, and can inspire with success and leadership?
Scott Adams of Dilbert fame is on board, and the more I think about it, the more I like it. Now, let's get Oprah as VP, and we have a slam dunk.
Labels: Politics
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