Maybe it’s because of this election year, but I started thinking about the kind of person I’d want to vote for and how I’d want him or her to qualify to serve. If that person was me, how would I spend my life preparing? It might seem silly but hey, it’s my blog! To be clear, the point is not how to look good to get elected, but to be an effective and well-rounded as a national leader, someone who can be truly competent regardless of any particular political leanings.
A good place to start would be high school. Joining student body government, becoming president by senior year is a good way to learn about elections, government and public speaking. Joining the debate team is just as useful for a few reasons. Get good grades in preparation for college. Also, play a sport. It must be a true team sport (football, basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey, volleyball), which teaches lessons about competition, teamwork, winning and losing, and increases maturity. Starting at 16 I’d get a part-time job which would teach me more about responsibility, independence and real life. It would also help me to save some money for college. I’d look for opportunities to be involved in the community as well.
Speaking of college, I’d want to attend a good school where I could triple major in political science/leadership, international politics and economics, with minors in public health, communication and American history as well. While in college take a leadership position in the associated student body, and be a member of the debate team to help prepare yourself. This might take six or seven years, but that’s not a problem. Any President needs to have an especially sound understanding of the economy, as well as several other important issues. The goal is not become an ‘expert on everything’ but to be well educated so I can develop my own policies, instead of simply leaning on experts and asking how it will play politically.
I may want to avoid an ivy league education, because this can be used against you by some political parties, as an “elitist.” A great school would be University of North Carolina or Georgetown University, both of which have an excellent reputation but are not Ivy League schools. Alternatively, the University of Michigan is also an outstanding school academically and is in the Midwest. If I did go the Ivy League route, Yale and Princeton offer excellent undergraduate experiences. Collegiate sports take up too much time, but taking martial arts classes in the evenings enhances discipline, self-esteem and respect for self and others. It also prepares me physically for military service.
A military background is always helpful when running for president, and it makes a more well-rounded individual. Joining the ROTC while in college can be great to avoid debt, and then going full-time for 4 years as an officer in any branch would be terrific. Any leadership position in the military will grow me up, teach good skills and broaden my horizons, as well as look good when running for President. I personally don’t think someone should be in a position to potentially send servicemen and women to war without having served themselves.
Networking with local political leaders at college and in the military is a great thing to do in preparation for running for public office. Starting my career is next, but actually running for political office is beyond the scope of this post. I will say I’d likely start at the local level before running for higher-level positions, focus on creating an effective campaign team, a well-defined platform and a successful marketing strategy to garner community support and funding is a reasonable start, whether running for city council, mayor, or a state office. Ultimately it seems reasonable to be in a position to run for a Presidency in my late 40’s or 50’s. Let’s recall that multiple Presidents weren’t elected until they were in their 60’s or later.
Lastly, practicing in a religion is a strength, particularly a Christian one. This is not about looking good, though America embraces Christians, but about developing a core self that integrates integrity and correct moral principles to guide your life by, as well as connecting to a deeper meaning in life. Finally, as ambitious as I would be, it takes something extra to trust a Higher Power to guide my life as He sees fit, knowing He can make more of my life than I can. Whether or not I’m successful is less important than that I’m the right kind of man to be running, and wherever I land I’d be well-prepared to serve others. After all, that’s what political office is all about.