# Who is the President America needs right now? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 2, 2016, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307 "2016-06-02T13:32:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Totenfeier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@Totenfeier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Totenfeier)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2016, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307/1 "2016-06-02T13:32:41Z")
…and why? Nominate anyone you please. ---
**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:** [June 2, 2016, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307/2 "2016-06-02T13:36:52Z")
Barack Obama. He’s getting better and better with every year. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2016, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307/3 "2016-06-02T14:01:47Z")
Seconded. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2016, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307/4 "2016-06-02T14:34:18Z")
Thirded. I recently read [“The Obama Doctrine,”](http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/04/the-obama-doctrine/471525/) and he comes across as the a wonderfully subtle but effective leader. > [@](#): > > If Obama ever questioned whether America really is the world’s one indispensable nation, he no longer does so. But he is the rare president who seems at times to resent indispensability, rather than embrace it. “Free riders aggravate me,” he told me. Recently, Obama warned that Great Britain would no longer be able to claim a “special relationship” with the United States if it did not commit to spending at least 2 percent of its GDP on defense. “You have to pay your fair share,” Obama told David Cameron, who subsequently met the 2 percent threshold. > > Part of his mission as president, Obama explained, is to spur other countries to take action for themselves, rather than wait for the U.S. to lead. The defense of the liberal international order against jihadist terror, Russian adventurism, and Chinese bullying depends in part, he believes, on the willingness of other nations to share the burden with the U.S. This is why the controversy surrounding the assertion—made by an anonymous administration official to The New Yorker during the Libya crisis of 2011—that his policy consisted of “leading from behind” perturbed him. “We don’t have to always be the ones who are up front,” he told me. “Sometimes we’re going to get what we want precisely because we are sharing in the agenda. The irony is that it was precisely in order to prevent the Europeans and the Arab states from holding our coats while we did all the fighting that we, by design, insisted” that they lead during the mission to remove Muammar Qaddafi from power in Libya. “It was part of the anti–free rider campaign.” For all the mocking on the right of Pres. Obama being a “community organizer,” I hope we get more community organizers in the Oval Office. He organized world leaders. ---
**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:** [June 2, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307/5 "2016-06-02T14:36:07Z")
Right this second, Barack Obama. Next Jan 20, Joe Biden. If Hillary keels over dead tonight, plan B is Biden, not Sanders. He would beat Trump like a rented mule. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2016, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307/6 "2016-06-02T14:49:25Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Right this second, Barack Obama. Next Jan 20, Joe Biden. If Hillary keels over dead tonight, plan B is Biden, not Sanders. He would beat Drumpf like a rented mule. Right on both accounts. If we want to bring fictional characters into the discussion, I would put forth President Bartlett from the West Wing. Recently began re-watching the series on NetFlix, and am reminded what an inspirational leader the character is. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2016, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307/7 "2016-06-02T14:57:45Z")
Someone with the charisma and vision of JFK, the political pull of LBJ, the common sense of a Truman or Obama, and the daring of Teddy Roosevelt or Bernie Sanders. I doubt any such person exists, and all without the serious drawbacks of each. Although I think Obama would be easy to re-elect if that was allowed, but it’s mainly because of the weak opposition, and unfortunately he’s failed to inspire or break the congressional deadlock. We need Bernie Sanders but the country is not ready for him, his popularity now is as an alternative. Trump has the appeal of someone who isn’t part of the establishment game and has a record of real accomplishment in the dog-eat-dog world of business, but unfortunately as a politician he has become a rabble-rouser and his actual ability to govern is seriously questionable. Hillary is an unknown quantity as an executive, trying to fit the mold of Truman/Obama but she represents the lust for power embodied by the overly partisan party structure that makes our government so ineffective right now. This year represents a growing trend where the American people lose no matter who gets elected, Bush v. Dukakis, Bush v. Gore, Bush v. Kerry, and now Clinton v. Trump, given a true None-of-the-Above ballot choice we’d have to start the process over again. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2016, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307/8 "2016-06-02T15:13:13Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > This year represents a growing trend where the American people lose no matter who gets elected, Bush v. Dukakis, Bush v. Gore, Bush v. Kerry, and now Clinton v. Trump, given a true None-of-the-Above ballot choice we’d have to start the process over again. You didn’t take a shot at Bill Clinton or Mitt Romney, but took a shot at Al Gore? Near as I can tell, Al Gore was basically just Mitt Romney’s persona with Bill Clinton’s policies – only with, y’know, some military service, and more time in office. ---
**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:** [June 2, 2016, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307/9 "2016-06-02T15:19:56Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > This year represents a growing trend where the American people lose no matter who gets elected, Bush v. Dukakis, Bush v. Gore, Bush v. Kerry, and now Clinton v. Trump, given a true None-of-the-Above ballot choice we’d have to start the process over again. I think Bush v Dukakis was between two guys who were well prepared for the presidency. Gore and Kerry were also well prepared and to my taste politically, as is Hillary. This business of “oh my God, woe is us, we lose either way” is nonsense. Hillary is ready to step into Obama’s shoes tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2016, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307/10 "2016-06-02T15:24:29Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by TriPolar View Post > This year represents a growing trend where the American people lose no matter who gets elected, Bush v. Dukakis, Bush v. Gore, Bush v. Kerry, and now Clinton v. Trump, given a true None-of-the-Above ballot choice we’d have to start the process over again. I agree with BobLib, Kerry, Bush I, and Mrs. Clinton are all acceptable choices that don’t cause the “American people to lose.” We can’t judge everyone by comparing them to Obama, we’re not likely to see another POTUS that good for some time. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2016, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307/11 "2016-06-02T15:26:10Z")
Barry! Barry! Barry! Second choice would be Jerry Brown if he was 20 years younger. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2016, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307/12 "2016-06-02T15:28:35Z")
Obama not being available, and the idea of making it legally possible being fraught with dangerous fallout, I’d sleep pretty well if Jerry Brown took the chair. He was an idealistic joke in the 1970s, but idealism and brilliance tempered by another 30 years of political experience turned him into the governor California desperately needed and didn’t deserve. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2016, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307/13 "2016-06-02T16:00:03Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > He was an idealistic joke in the 1970s, but idealism and brilliance tempered by another 30 years of political experience turned him into the governor California desperately needed and **didn’t deserve**. Hey! I resemble this remark! ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2016, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307/14 "2016-06-02T19:17:55Z")
Huey Long. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2016, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307/15 "2016-06-02T19:38:47Z")
> [@leftfield6](#): > > If we want to bring fictional characters into the discussion, I would put forth President Bartlett from the West Wing. Recently began re-watching the series on NetFlix, and am reminded what an inspirational leader the character is. Remember the NRA’s “MY PRESIDENT IS CHARLTON HESTON” bumper stickers? I always wanted one that said “MY PRESIDENT IS MARTIN SHEEN.” ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2016, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307/16 "2016-06-02T19:41:01Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > Obama not being available, and the idea of making it legally possible being fraught with dangerous fallout, I’d sleep pretty well if Jerry Brown took the chair. He was an idealistic joke in the 1970s, but idealism and brilliance tempered by another 30 years of political experience turned him into the governor California desperately needed and didn’t deserve. I’d welcome Brown in a heartbeat, if he were not so old – 78; he’s even older than Sanders. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2016, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307/17 "2016-06-02T19:43:23Z")
Christopher Walken, come on Imagine those state of the union speeches. ---
**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:** [June 2, 2016, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307/18 "2016-06-02T19:49:19Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Someone with the charisma and vision of JFK, the political pull of LBJ, the common sense of a Truman or Obama, and the daring of Teddy Roosevelt or Bernie Sanders. Sorry, **Tri** , I’m busy the next 4 years. 😃 Personally, I don’t think the president can do all that much anymore, so it doesn’t matter too much to me as long as they don’t start any new wars. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2016, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307/19 "2016-06-02T20:11:11Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > You didn’t take a shot at Bill Clinton or Mitt Romney, but took a shot at Al Gore? > > Near as I can tell, Al Gore was basically just Mitt Romney’s persona with Bill Clinton’s policies – only with, y’know, some military service, and more time in office. Before he became president Bush v. Clinton did look like another pair of weak choices but things turned out a little better. > [@BobLibDem](#): > > I think Bush v Dukakis was between two guys who were well prepared for the presidency. Gore and Kerry were also well prepared and to my taste politically, as is Hillary. This business of “oh my God, woe is us, we lose either way” is nonsense. Hillary is ready to step into Obama’s shoes tomorrow. ‘Prepared for the presidency’ is a low bar. I described what I thought was needed, none of them meet that criteria. > [@Procrustus](#): > > I agree with BobLib, Kerry, Bush I, and Mrs. Clinton are all acceptable choices that don’t cause the “American people to lose.” We can’t judge everyone by comparing them to Obama, we’re not likely to see another POTUS that good for some time. I don’t predict disaster, but I think we’ve been losing for decades and none of them are going to turn things around. > [@John\_Mace](#): > > Sorry, **Tri** , I’m busy the next 4 years. 😃 > > Personally, I don’t think the president can do all that much anymore, so it doesn’t matter too much to me as long as they don’t start any new wars. You are probably right, and it’s the result of our system turning the president into just another bureaucrat. ---
**Author:** ![Totenfeier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@Totenfeier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Totenfeier)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307/20 "2016-06-02T20:29:21Z")
My thread, so my two cents, to muddy the waters: Where the hell is our Lincoln? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-president-america-needs-right-now/756307.md?page=2)