What are the qualities of an "electable" Presidential candidate?

[burr]

From Jack Germond's Fat Man in a Middle Seat...

"There are many thoughtful people in politics who contend that Cuomo couldn't have been elected anyway. He was too liberal, too ugly, Italian for all those white Protestant folks down south and out west. I was always convinced, however, that Cuomo could have cleared the hurdles of to his candidacy just as Ronald Reagan managed to overcome the problem of his age and Jimmy Carter managed to overcoming the problem of being a nobody from Georgia.

I had also formed a theory that I still consider valid-that a politician with gravitas will convince the electorate of that quality if given enough exposure over time. The voters may tire of him eventially as they did of Cuomo when Republicans defeated him in 1994. But they can get beyond surface appearances and come to appreciate true quality in a public official even if that official goes against public opinion from time to time."


Do you agree with Germond's basic theory on electability and the voters?

[poskonig]

1. I'm not sure.

I still think an old Chicago-style ground machine, a clear message, and a good fundraising ability is the way to go.

Look at the Republicans. Their leader looks like a monkey and cannot speak in complete sentences.

[w4rma]

2. The ability to raise lots of money. That's all.

:shrug: