General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: No Amateurs as Democratic Presidential Candidates, Please! [View all]Caliman73
(11,738 posts)It is taken to mean inexperienced as well, not inept.
The Golden Gloves champions in boxing, as well as Olympic athletes in the sport are amateurs. Muhammad Ali was an amateur when he won the Olympic Gold Medal. The college athletes who fill the ranks of most professional US sports are also amateurs until drafted and paid.
Going with the sports analogy, would you want to be represented by a Professional athlete (analogous to the governor of a large state or a long term Senator who has been on the foreign relations committees) A college athlete (a House member, relatively new senator, or governor of a small state) or someone like Oprah who would be analogous to a high school athlete.
The point is that there needs to be a candidate with a proven record of governance and the ability to navigate the national and foreign policy arena. The US is going to have to mend a lot of fences and a person with little diplomatic experience