Require presidential candidates to pass a civics test for nomination.

[Hugo Drax]

This would weed out lots of chaff out of the nomination process and insure that our presidential candidates have a minimum level of education before the can be nominated. Candidates like Rick Perry, Cain etc.. would never even get on the list for potential nominees if they cannot pass this basic test.

CPAs need to pass a test, Brokers need to pass the Series 7, Attorneys the Bar, Joe Six pack needs to pass the basic drivers test. Yet the most important position in our country has no basic process to insure we have individuals that can meet some minimum requirement.

Make the test a 300 question and answers test. It could be weighted in different areas. Part of it could be economics, another part basic US civics, world history etc..

If they pass they get a CPC certificate (Certified presidential candidate) with a number that is used when filling out Statement of Candidacy paperwork.


EDIT: VP candidates would also require a CPC number as well. (weed out Palin being chosen as VP for example)

 

[momeNt]

This would weed out lots of chaff out of the nomination process and insure that our presidential candidates have a minimum level of education before the can be nominated. Candidates like Rick Perry, Cain etc.. would never even get on the list for potential nominees if they cannot pass this basic test.

CPAs need to pass a test, Brokers need to pass the Series 7, Attorneys the Bar, Joe Six pack needs to pass the basic drivers test. Yet the most important position in our country has no basic process to insure we have individuals that can meet some minimum requirement.

Make the test a 300 question and answers test. It could be weighted in different areas. Part of it could be economics, another part basic US civics, world history etc..

If they pass they get a CPC certificate (Certified presidential candidate) with a number that is used when filling out Statement of Candidacy paperwork.

Electability is the only test they need. Media administers that test quite well thank you.

 

[cwjerome]

Goes against basic democratic/populist ideals. We don't need to put on restrictions like this, it has some of the same stench as Jim Crow laws.... no IQ requirement, no $ requirement, no "knowledge" test, nothing like that. If a candidate is dumb then don't elect him. A test like the OP mentions will not prevent bad candidates and if we need a test like this to protect ourselves then we have bigger problems, starting with everyday John Q Public.

 

[Vic Vega]

This would weed out lots of chaff out of the nomination process and insure that our presidential candidates have a minimum level of education before the can be nominated. Candidates like Rick Perry, Cain etc.. would never even get on the list for potential nominees if they cannot pass this basic test.

CPAs need to pass a test, Brokers need to pass the Series 7, Attorneys the Bar, Joe Six pack needs to pass the basic drivers test. Yet the most important position in our country has no basic process to insure we have individuals that can meet some minimum requirement.

Make the test a 300 question and answers test. It could be weighted in different areas. Part of it could be economics, another part basic US civics, world history etc..

If they pass they get a CPC certificate (Certified presidential candidate) with a number that is used when filling out Statement of Candidacy paperwork.


EDIT: VP candidates would also require a CPC number as well. (weed out Palin being chosen as VP for example)

These sort of tyrannical and discriminatory ideas are not welcome in the US.

 

[Gamingphreek]

I would say that a better idea is to require all people in public office that deal with sensitive information to pass a Full Scope Polygraph with a full SSBI (Single Scope Background Investigation).

-GP

 

[Vic Vega]

I would say that a better idea is to require all people in public office that deal with sensitive information to pass a Full Scope Polygraph with a full SSBI (Single Scope Background Investigation).

-GP

Forgetting the fact the the polygraph is universally panned for being a load of horse crap, what would you ask the candidate and how would you expect them to answer? They all lie, every single one of them. But being truthful isn't a requirement.

Again, this is a tyrannical idea. You think it would help, but all it does is construct a system wherein the people in power can dictate requirements for people who are not in power. This is a slippery slope and is why we don't do it.

 

[Hugo Drax]

These sort of tyrannical and discriminatory ideas are not welcome in the US.

I don't see what the problem is. Colleges require specific SAT scores for entry. You do not hear people complaining about that.

How is this test discriminatory. If you don't even know the minimum voting age for example, you have no business running for president.

There is no discrimination, Anyone is free to take the test and become a CPC. If your too stupid to pass it, you should not become president.

We need to raise the limits a little bit.

Sample Question #1

The United States Capitol is located in the following location.
A. State of Washington.
B. State of New York.
C. State of Maryland.
D. State of Virginia.
E. None of the above.

 

[cwjerome]

I don't see what the problem is. Colleges require specific SAT scores for entry. You do not hear people complaining about that.

How is this test discriminatory. If you don't even know the minimum voting age for example, you have no business running for president.

There is no discrimination, Anyone is free to take the test and become a CPC. If your too stupid to pass it, you should not become president.

We need to raise the limits a little bit.

Sample Question #1

The United States Capitol is located in the following location.
A. State of Washington.
B. State of New York.
C. State of Maryland.
D. State of Virginia.
E. None of the above.

That's a fucking embarrassment. You really think a test like that will help us get better candidates?

If we ever had such a silly means test to run for president we might as well pull the nuclear trigger on ourselves since we obviously need a ridiculous test for candidates because the people are too damn dumb to be trusted to vote for people otherwise.

 

[chowderhead]

like Obama's 57 states of the Union?
The only qualifications are found in the US Constitution. Basically if the people of the US want to vote for an illiterate person ... god help us, but that is the will of the people.

 

[Nintendesert]

A civics test should be a requirement for voting then too.

 

[Kadarin]

That's a fucking embarrassment. You really think a test like that will help us get better candidates?

If we ever had such a silly means test to run for president we might as well pull the nuclear trigger on ourselves since we obviously need a ridiculous test for candidates because the people are too damn dumb to be trusted to vote for people otherwise.

If we elect some fucking moron like Perry, Bachmann, or Cain, we deserve to pull the nuclear trigger on ourselves anyway.

 

[sportage]

I think that is a GREAT idea!!!!
If people that "look" Hispanic can be required to carry papers, then those making such laws should at least know who was the first US president, and every president since.
I would bet my iMac that Bachmann, Perry and Cain would be clueless.
This would be really fun... A presidential debate with simple American history questions.
I suspect only Huntsman would be able to pass that debate.
So naturally, he is in last place. The guy with any brains at all.

 

[cwjerome]

If we elect some fucking moron like Perry, Bachmann, or Cain, we deserve to pull the nuclear trigger on ourselves anyway.

If we're stupid then we go down that way, it's better than pretending we aren't and making stupid useless rules to delay the inevitable.

Quit making excuses, quit inventing new failed ways to avoid the truth, quit trying to create more band-aids to cover the real problems. That's what I say. People see a problem and try to be clever about circumventing it but it's a lie. You think we have crap candidates? Then get to the root of the problem and stop acting like a dumbass quiz will change anything. We have crap candidates because we're ignorant and have created a flawed system to determine prospects. Oh shit, but that takes education and change, that's a tough thing to get our arms around, our lazy asses can't even begin to address the root cause of the real problems... let's make a test!!

I see this happen in education all the time. The problems require long term, consistent, broad-based, difficult and painful measures so instead we spin our wheels over quick and easy solutions that aren't solutions at all. Then we pat ourselves on the back for such a job well done and things only get worse.

A test? You have got to be fucking kidding me. No wonder we're in trouble.

 

[DrPizza]

I've thought for years that it would be amusing to put a political candidate on the spot and hand them a large map, asking, "can you point to <...>" on the map?

Can you imagine if Palin had been asked "find Iraq on this map." LOLOLOL

 

[werepossum]

I've thought for years that it would be amusing to put a political candidate on the spot and hand them a large map, asking, "can you point to <...>" on the map?

Can you imagine if Palin had been asked "find Iraq on this map." LOLOLOL

Or Hawaii.

I mean, Asia is SOOO big . . .

 

[davmat787]

I actually give both Obama and Palin and Bush the benefit of the doubt on their mistakes. Can you imagine having microphones and cameras record nearly everything you say and do for months and years on end, without ever misspeaking? I mean, come on these are humans too and thus make mistakes just like we would.

 

[Fear No Evil]

I'm all for the test if we hold voters to the same level.

 

[werepossum]

I actually give both Obama and Palin and Bush the benefit of the doubt on their mistakes. Can you imagine having microphones and cameras record nearly everything you say and do for months and years on end, without ever misspeaking? I mean, come on these are humans too and thus make mistakes just like we would.

This is true. My disdain is for those sycophants who must immediately turn cartwheels trying to explain away those gaffes.

Obama claiming that Hawaii is in Asia is humorous. Who knows if he honestly thought that, or just blurted it out, or if some idiot TelePrompter programmer thought that, or if he was trying to cuddle up to the other Asian leaders. On the other hand, his lackeys trying to defend that statement as true is just sad and contemptible. He screwed up; don't mean nothin'. Just chuckle and move on.

 

[woolfe9999]

Testing voters is un-democratic. Testing candidates is not. I'm not sure whether I support it or not, but I see nothing un-democratic about it. The idea that any moron can become president is not a principle of democracy that I'm familiar with. Was that Aristotle?

 

[davmat787]

Testing voters is un-democratic. Testing candidates is not. I'm not sure whether I support it or not, but I see nothing un-democratic about it. The idea that any moron can become president is not a principle of democracy that I'm familiar with. Was that Aristotle?

The candidates should have to be land owners too.

Seriously, the real test is the election itself of candidates that meet constitutional muster.

Besides, can you envision this test your speak of to be so incredibly difficult that it would negate any of the current mainstream candidates? Would a college degree be sufficient? And who gets to design this test?

 

[woolfe9999]

The candidates should have to be land owners too.

Seriously, the real test is the election itself of candidates that meet constitutional muster.

Besides, can you envision this test your speak of to be so incredibly difficult that it would negate any of the current mainstream candidates? Would a college degree be sufficient? And who gets to design this test?

I didn't say I support the testing, so your last point is trying to refute a position I didn't take. I'm kind of on the fence about it. Bottom line is you're probably right that it wouldn't be effective. Someone like Palin would probably just cram for the exam, then forget it all an hour later because she has no interest in knowing it.

The difference between a land holding requirement and a civics test is huge. Landholding arbitrarily favors the wealth(ier), regardless of merit. The testing idea is, in theory, about merit. I see nothing undemocratic about applying a requirement of office that directly reflects a candidate's merit. It may not be a good idea, but it isn't undemocratic.

Obviously the Constitution would have to be amended to implement something like this because adding requirements not set forth in the Constitution is, well, unconstitional.

 

[davmat787]

I didn't say I support the testing, so your last point is trying to refute a position I didn't take. I'm kind of on the fence about it. Bottom line is you're probably right that it wouldn't be effective. Someone like Palin would probably just cram for the exam, then forget it all an hour later because she has no interest in knowing it.

The difference between a land holding requirement and a civics test is huge. Landholding arbitrarily favors the wealth(ier), regardless of merit. The testing idea is, in theory, about merit. I see nothing undemocratic about applying a requirement of office that directly reflects a candidate's merit. It may not be a good idea, but it isn't undemocratic.

Obviously the Constitution would have to be amended to implement something like this because adding requirements not set forth in the Constitution is, well, unconstitional.

My apologies for inferring you were in favor of it outright erroneously. You gonna call me a dumbfuck now I suppose? 😛

 

[homercles337]

I'm all for the test if we hold voters to the same level.

That would eliminate 99% of Republican voters.

 

[dmcowen674]

A civics test should be a requirement for voting then too.

That would eliminate all the Republican posters in P&N :thumbsup:

 

[davmat787]

That would eliminate all the Republican posters in P&N :thumbsup:

Hey McOwned, I hate to interrupt your hourly cup of rage, but what do you think this test would do to a certain base of the Democratic Party? Did you think about that, how it would disenfranchise them?