The candidates on who, other than themselves, would make a good President

[maximusveritas]

The Des Moines Register got to ask all the candidates a series of about 10 questions, for which they were not prepped. Because they couldn't prepare for the questions and consult with their advisors, it made for some interesting answers, especially on this question.

Many tried to pick someone similar to themselves. Some tried to pick people they wanted to gain favor with. Some just couldn't come up with an answer or didn't want to risk it. I was surprised no one mentioned Gore. Perhaps they're afraid he might still enter the race.

You can watch the video or just read my summary:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071020/OPINION/71017035/-1/RSS22

Clinton and Edwards wouldn't/couldn't give an answer
Richardson - Lee Iacocca
Obama - Warren Buffett
Kucinich - Jimmy Carter
Dodd - Tom Harkin
Biden - Bill Bradley, Dodd, and Richardson

McCain, Huckabee, and Ron Paul wouldn't/couldn't answer.
Giuliani - Colin Powell (after much thought)
Romney - Jeb Bush ("please endorse me")
Hunter - Reagan and Dubya (perhaps the worst answer possible)
Tancredo - Covey (the guy who writes books on leadership. No seriously, that was his answer)
Brownback - Bob Dole and Lieberman (what a surprise - not really)

[gateley]

1. This is interesting - and thanks for the link. nt

[gateley]

2. These are GREAT questions and the candidates didn't have a clue they were going to be asked! nt

[PatSeg]

3. What a great question

and very revealing answers. Thanks for this.

[incapsulated]

4. Hey, that really was a great question

Interesting answers.

Haha, Rudy just won even more conservative support with that choice. Not.

[gorekerrydreamticket]

5. Major indicator of narcissism - those who wouldn't answer

Just my two cents

[nxylas]

8. Yeah, majorly disappointed in Edwards here

You wouldn't expect Clinton to be able to give an answer other than "mememe", but I thought Edwards was better than that.

[maximusveritas]

13. Yes, I also think that was the most interesting part - the non-answers

Hillary also didn't answer the question on where else she'd like to live. You can just sense she's afraid to say anything the least bit controversial or likely to upset people. Part of that is just due to her position as a frontrunner. But it's also part of her nature.
I was surprised to see it from Edwards and Ron Paul. They have reputations of being pretty straight-shooters, but they didn't show it here.

[Schema Thing]

6. I'd say Biden won this one, imo.

at least politically. Obama and Richardson are both right though; both of those men would probably make great presidents.

[Froward69]

7. Great to have them lined up equally...

After listening to all the Dems (no time for the R's as i will not support any)

Edwards "I have to give that more thought." answer was a cop out or showing a glimpse of just how arrogant he really is.

Hillarys laugh came rather easily when confronted with questions she knew she had to answer "correctly". She seemed torn and reluctant to say the first answer that popped into her mind.

Obama came across as thoughtful and eloquent, and yet uncertain. Relaxed. His inexperience however shows.

Richardson, relaxed and fourth coming he did well. Definitely moved up on my tier.

Dodd came across like he had thought about these questions beforehand. I know he didn’t know the questions but had thought about the topics and answered truthfully.

Biden won this one too, although slimly.

Richardson and Dodd, Finished out my top three. With Obama, moving up to my fourth. Sadly it is his lack of experience that keeps him out of my top three. I had hoped to not be Biased towards Biden. He still garners my support as the Best of the field For All of America.

[PatSeg]

9. His was the best answer on the Democratic side

and though it was an unexpected question, he always has an answer.

[iverglas]

10. okay, Biden wins

He would choose to live in Canada, because he's, well, ordinary. Like us. ;)

The feeling's mutual. This Canadian likes Biden. Ordinary -- and really smart. Like us. Oops, where's that winkything.

Obama at least liked the idea of Canada once he remembered that we speak English and have a common institutional heritage and all. McCain had the right idea, but apparently we just don't occupy too much memory space. Or he doesn't think we're as much fun as the Australians.

For pity's sake, Clinton ... the assumption is that everybody would choose to live in his/her own country over someone else's. That wasn't the question -- how much one really really doesn't want to live somewhere else. And it really just wasn't necessary, or particularly seemly, to go on at quite such length about how really really really American one is.

[jillan]

11. Hillary?!?!?! What was that?

And Edwards - not too good and answering on the spot questions.


I liked the way that Obama and Biden really put some thought into it and then answered the question and explained how they came to that conclusion.

[Blue_In_AK]

12. I like Biden's choices best.

He wins.