# Tom Hanks for President, would you support him? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 16, 2017, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768 "2017-05-16T17:40:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768/1 "2017-05-16T17:40:25Z")
I see him as a centrist kind of guy, who would have the ability, especially after this administration, of being appealing to alot of voters. The Dems don’t really have any notable candidates for the next election, and the 'pubs after Trump are pretty much toast, so who is to say he’s not the perfect candidate to parachute into the Democrat nomination? ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768/2 "2017-05-16T17:48:31Z")
I don’t get why people keep saying the Democrats don’t have good candidates for 2020. They don’t need a “good” candidate; even an average Democrat would probably beat Trump (or any other Republican nominee) handily. And they do have people like Kamala Harris, Tammy Duckworth, Elizabeth Warren, Tim Kaine, Martin O’Malley; even Bernie Sanders might still be a winnable candidate in 2020. But anyway - I don’t think Tom Hanks would work. He has to be elected by a different electorate than the one that elected Trump, and I think his style or ignorance would grate on people pretty quickly. He’d be held to a different standard than Trump. Having him be Forrest Gump is one thing; for many voters, having him be Commander-in-Chief is another. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768/3 "2017-05-16T17:58:55Z")
I think I would prefer someone that has spent their adult life in government trying to make it work for the better. Maybe Hanks and I see eye to eye on everything, maybe we don’t. But being famous is not the sole prerequisite for being president, as we are now painfully aware. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768/4 "2017-05-16T18:01:28Z")
Fuck it. Next time we’re rolling out Oprah. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768/5 "2017-05-16T18:03:48Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Fuck it. Next time we’re rolling out Oprah. Reserve the heavy duty hand truck. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768/6 "2017-05-16T18:05:19Z")
I’m sure I’d support him over Trump, and likely many Republicans, at least assuming his issue stances mostly line up with mine. But if an actor really wants to get into politics, I’d hope they would run for governor or senator first – both to get them some experience, and to show that they’re serious and competent. Like Al Franken, for example. And I think Franken would be a very good 2020 candidate. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768/7 "2017-05-16T18:26:06Z")
Yes, absolutely, can we do it today please? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768/8 "2017-05-16T18:39:39Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I’m sure I’d support him over Trump, and likely many Republicans, at least assuming his issue stances mostly line up with mine. But if an actor really wants to get into politics, I’d hope they would run for governor or senator first – both to get them some experience, and to show that they’re serious and competent. > > Like Al Franken, for example. And I think Franken would be a very good 2020 candidate. Agreed. Just because I like someone, or respect him, or agree with him, doesn’t mean I think he’d have the skills necessary to do a good job. Presidenting is hard. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768/9 "2017-05-16T18:47:15Z")
I have no idea what his political positions are, but does he have experience running anything? I am not sure directing movies counts. If Trump leaves one legacy, perhaps it could be that the Presidency is not an entry level position. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768/10 "2017-05-16T19:00:37Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I > If Trump leaves one legacy, perhaps it could be that the Presidency is not an entry level position. That’s the best thing I’ve read in a long time! mc ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768/11 "2017-05-16T19:04:49Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I’m sure I’d support him over Trump, and likely many Republicans, at least assuming his issue stances mostly line up with mine. But if an actor really wants to get into politics, I’d hope they would run for governor or senator first – both to get them some experience, and to show that they’re serious and competent. > > Like Al Franken, for example. And I think Franken would be a very good 2020 candidate. Right. And Ronald Reagan was governor of California before running for President. Not that I supported his politics, but at least he had experience. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768/12 "2017-05-16T19:15:17Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I have no idea what his political positions are, but does he have experience running anything? I am not sure directing movies counts. > > If Trump leaves one legacy, perhaps it could be that the Presidency is not an entry level position. > > Regards, > Shodan Pretty much this. I don’t know what his positions are on, well, anything, nor do I have confidence in his ability to govern…he’s got zero experience, and after Trump (hell, for me even before Trump) we are going to need someone who at least seems to know what he or she is doing. I HOPE that the American voting public now understands why the Hollywood version of the President who comes out of nowhere with no experience and is able to do wonderful things, as opposed to those nasty ‘ruling class’ career politician types, is total fantasy. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768/13 "2017-05-16T20:40:19Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > If Trump leaves one legacy, perhaps it could be that the Presidency is not an entry level position. I agree. A President needs to be a politician. It doesn’t matter if your goals are good or bad if you lack the political skills to achieve them. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768/14 "2017-05-16T21:08:39Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Reserve the heavy duty hand truck. Seriously? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768/15 "2017-05-16T21:14:50Z")
Only if he has Wilson as his running mate. The guy is just no good without Wilson. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768/16 "2017-05-16T21:16:59Z")
Hanks would probably mandate that the White House moves over to everyone using vintage typewriters instead of computers. That would help in some ways with infosec, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768/17 "2017-05-16T21:43:28Z")
In general? No fucking way. Why would I want an actor to be president? Against Trump? Absolutely. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768/18 "2017-05-16T21:44:56Z")
By 2020, the electorate will be begging for a traditional, boring, staid president “like we used to have.” The last thing the Republicans or Democrats should do is run an Oprah, Tom Hanks, Kanye West, Mike Ditka or Glenn Beck. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768/19 "2017-05-16T22:34:13Z")
Looks like Dwayne Johnson has the early lead: > **[No Joke, The Rock Leads Trump In New Poll For 2020 Election](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/no-joke-the-rock-leads-donald-trump-in-new-poll-for-2020-election_n_591b2784e4b07d5f6ba68e06?utm_hp_ref=donald-trump&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009)** > > The White House is about to get "Rocked." ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768/20 "2017-05-16T22:37:05Z")
My call is Jon Stewart. And btw, the country is a political lunatic asylum. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768.md?page=2)