On physicals for Presidential candidates

[Aviation Pro]

Along with releasing a complete set of tax returns, Congress should mandate that any candidate running for the presidency be subject to a full, independent screening of both their physical and mental state.

And extend it to any candidate running for federal office.

[Autumn]

1. I would be satisfied with IQ tests and drug tests. That would weed out 90% of the Republican party.

[Jilly_in_VA]

2. Definitely psychological testing

by a panel of psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, not just one.

[jmowreader]

3. Add to that...

Every candidate for president must show proof of having been re-elected at least once to the office of Governor or either house of the United States Congress, must pass the federal citizenship test, and must pass the Single Scope Background Investigation required for a Top Secret security clearance.

I would also like to see a requirement that any candidate who owns a hotel agrees to allow the Secret Service to stay in it at no cost when he or she is in it. They can charge for food eaten by the agents but only at the cost of providing it. (This would have ended Trump’s desire to be president, because he was counting on being able to make the Secret Service pay to guard him.)

[jimfields33]

4. It would have to be a constitutional amendment

The requirements are clear on what is required to run for president in the constitution. The Supreme Court would knock it down 9-0 regardless of the congress makeup.

[dumbcat]

5. Not within Congress's power

But it sure would be interesting to see what such a bill would grow to.

[Bayard]

6. I think a lot of past presidents

Would not have qualified.

[meadowlander]

17. Abraham Lincoln wouldn't have because of depression.

Probably not George Washington either for the same reason.

Cognitive functioning testing, fine. Mental health screening is a huge can of worms, particularly when so much psychiatry and psychology is qualitative, subjective and culturally biased.

[fescuerescue]

7. who determines what passes the screening?

Member of the opposing party?

Member of the same party?

[Aviation Pro]

8. How about the voters?

Publish the diagnostics and let them decide.

[fescuerescue]

10. So you want the general public to read xrays and blood tests by ballot?

ok. That's a novel approach.

[Aviation Pro]

11. Can they read a prepared report?

Yes, yes I think so.

[fescuerescue]

12. Who prepares the report?

Their party?

Or the other party?

[Aviation Pro]

14. How about suggesting a solution instead bringing problems to the table?

I'm tired of being the only idea guy here.

[fescuerescue]

16. The solution is in the constitution.

It's been there all along.

[Zeitghost]

9. The requirements to run for federal office

Are set out in the Constitution, Congress has no say in the matter unless it wants to pass an amendment.

[WarGamer]

13. Constitution much?

[Aviation Pro]

15. Constitution a lot

It's a malleable document and the framers, if they were able to see how the idiotic right wing hues to the 'framers intent' trope, would slap those weak men into next year.