Question: Vetting presidential candidates - is it time?

[TIDE-HSV]

I'm serious. I think we need vetting for physical, mental and security grounds, comprehensive. Obviously, the country has suffered through four years of a mentally-ill president, who couldn't pass a vetting on security or mental grounds and probably not physical, despite the self-dictated letter. The Constitution lays out the minimum requirements, but I know of nothing which would prevent additional legislative safeguards being added...

 

[B1GTide]

I agree, but would also add that we need to get back to ensuring that there is no way that a sitting president can monetize his position directly, cashing in on the office while sitting in the role. Honestly, I doubt that Trump ever runs if he had not been able to monetize the job in the countless ways that he did.

 

[Bamaro]

Unfortunately, it wouldn't have helped much. We knew, or should have known if we were paying attention, what t***p was like and 10's of millions still voted for him TWICE.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Unfortunately, it wouldn't have helped much. We knew, or should have known if we were paying attention, what t***p was like and 10's of millions still voted for him TWICE.

Don't give them the chance...

 

[2003TIDE]

I agree, but would also add that we need to get back to ensuring that there is no way that a sitting president can monetize his position directly, cashing in on the office while sitting in the role. Honestly, I doubt that Trump ever runs if he had not been able to monetize the job in the countless ways that he did.

Yeah anyone serving public office at the Federal level should have to divest in any businesses or investments that could potentially benefit. IMO if they want to invest in the stock market, they should be allowed to only invest in a specially created fund consisting of only US based companies.

 

[Tidewater]

I agree, but would also add that we need to get back to ensuring that there is no way that a sitting president can monetize his position directly, cashing in on the office while sitting in the role. Honestly, I doubt that Trump ever runs if he had not been able to monetize the job in the countless ways that he did.

Agreed, and I would add Congress as well. I would hope that Congress would pass a law requiring members to place their assets in a double blind trust, so the members do not know who is managing their money and the managers do not know whose money they are managing.
Sen. Loeffler (R, GA) got the classified Covid briefing in March and promptly dumped all her stocks (which were substantial). That is simply wrong.
My view is, if you want to make a ton of money, make a ton of money, but don't go into public service because you want to make a ton of money. Public service should be about, well, serving the public.

 

[Tidewater]

I'm serious. I think we need vetting for physical, mental and security grounds, comprehensive. Obviously, the country has suffered through four years of a mentally-ill president, who couldn't pass a vetting on security or mental grounds and probably not physical, despite the self-dictated letter. The Constitution lays out the minimum requirements, but I know of nothing which would prevent additional legislative safeguards being added...

Interesting question. Talk to a shrink and get cleared by an MD?
There is potential for abuse, but it would be an improvement.

 

[tide power fan]

Bidden for sure wouldn't pass it

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Bidden for sure wouldn't pass it

That's like, your opinion, man...

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Interesting question. Talk to a shrink and get cleared by an MD?
There is potential for abuse, but it would be an improvement.

Don't forget the security clearance. Remember Jared couldn't pass it. No one sane believes Trump could...

 

[jthomas666]

Bidden for sure wouldn't pass it

Could Biden pass a spelling test?

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Could Biden pass a spelling test?

Oral or written?

 

[92tide]

Bidden for sure wouldn't pass it

dalton approves of the double d

 

[TexasBama]

dalton approves of the double d

Heart blessings will be more common now

 

[81usaf92]

Bidden for sure wouldn't pass it

I didn’t know Biden got Tigger status and was cool enough to add another consonant.

 

[catsbane]

Interesting question. Talk to a shrink and get cleared by an MD?
There is potential for abuse, but it would be an improvement.

I think there is a guarantee of abuse. And always to the detriment of the citizenry.

 

[Crimson1967]

I would be in favor of a mandatory physical and mental exam but I don’t know about giving a doctor the power to block someone from running. Make the results public and let the people decide.

FDR probably doesn’t pass a physical (if “likely to live four years” is the definition of passing) if he takes one in 1944.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

I've been saying since 1988 (when I started voting) that it needs to be a requirement for candidates BEFORE THE FIRST PRIMARY/CAUCUS vote is cast:
a) present the last ten years of tax returns
b) all student records must be released
c) all military records must be released
d) all health records must be released.

Period.

You don't, you don't get on the ballot, and any write-in votes for you don't count. Period. No discussion, no debate. You have something to hide, you might be compromised and the pawn of a foreign government, so you can stop running right now.

The problem is getting this passed - because they all have something to hide. Yes, this is rumor, but one of the reasons it was suggested (and not just by talk radio or right-wingers) that Clinton would not release his health records (I don't believe he ever did) because he had had a cocaine habit in the 80s and had surgery to his nasal passages that he didn't want anyone to know about. (This of course was actually a MINOR type rumor when it came to the Clintons).

But Thomas Eagleton got disqualified for less psychosis than Donald Trump exhibited every damn day he was a candidate. No, Eagleton should not have been chosen - because a missileer or a SAC commander would have been thrown out of the military for his level of mental illness. But it's ludicrous to realize that the candidates themselves want their VP possibilities to submit to a rectal exam while they themselves hide all kinds of things.

 

[NationalTitles18]

Bottom line is this: It's up to the voters to vet candidates. If the candidates won't cooperate then it's up to us to show them out. WE have to do a better job. So how can we get our fellow citizens back to doing our damned jobs?

 

[AUDub]

That's like, your opinion, man...

Damn it. Earle quotes the Big Lebowski and I lose it lol.