# Would you be in favor of a basic knowledge test for presidential candidates? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 30, 2019, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763 "2019-03-30T12:44:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2019, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763/1 "2019-03-30T12:44:43Z")
Whenever I see Trump display his ignorance, particularly regarding how foreign trade and trade deficits work, I can’t help but imagine how a knowledge test about economics, civics, policy issues, international affairs, would weed out unqualified people for the benefit of all. Economics in particular seems to be the area in which many politicians are particularly ignorant. The test could be bipartisan, perhaps with both parties contributing questions, so that pet theories on both sides would need to be understood. Some might say this isnt democratic (perhaps unconstitutional?) because it favors election of the educated. Would that be so bad? We have required exams for sanitation workers, why not the most powerful person in the world (for now)? Also, once Trump is out of office, do you believe one party would be more likely to vote against such a proposal? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2019, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763/2 "2019-03-30T13:00:14Z")
Oh, for candidates, not for voters… It wouldn’t be constitutional, I don’t think. ---
**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:** [March 30, 2019, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763/3 "2019-03-30T13:06:01Z")
For candidates, sure. For voters? Isn’t this akin to the “voter literacy tests” used to stymie black voters back in the day? Also, I quite frankly am not sure this would yield the anti-Trump outcome that you hope for - there are a whole lot of D voters who are also low-information voters. ---
**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:** [March 30, 2019, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763/4 "2019-03-30T13:06:22Z")
You first. Explain to us how economics works. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2019, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763/5 "2019-03-30T13:10:03Z")
I think you might be able to get away with making them take the test. But the results couldn’t be binding. It’d be up to the voters to decide what to do about a candidate who got the answers wrong, or even what the right answers are. The Constitution is specific about what the requirements are on the President, and it’s not a very long or extensive list. ---
**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:** [March 30, 2019, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763/6 "2019-03-30T13:12:09Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Also, I quite frankly am not sure this would yield the anti-Trump outcome that you hope for - there are a whole lot of D voters who are also low-information voters. Republicans like to say this. But the reality is that Trump didn’t get nominated when he tried to run as a Democrat. It wasn’t until he joined the Republicans that he found his base. The Democrats may have low information voters. But they don’t control the party like low information voters control the Republicans. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2019, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763/7 "2019-03-30T13:16:37Z")
It would be infinitely preferable during a debate for a moderator to ask “How many candidates here are familiar with the phrase ‘Standard Model’ in physics?” instead of “How many candidates here have doubts about evolution?” Raise your hands. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2019, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763/8 "2019-03-30T13:27:54Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > You first. Explain to us how economics works. The Great Lakes are great! They are beautiful. They are big, very deep, record deepness, right? ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2019, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763/9 "2019-03-30T13:37:28Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Oh, for candidates, not for voters… > > It wouldn’t be constitutional, I don’t think. No, absolutely not voters. ---
**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:** [March 30, 2019, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763/10 "2019-03-30T13:44:52Z")
For candidates, maybe some of the following questions: 1. Blank world map with unlabeled nations: Name at least 30 nations within three minutes. 2. What are tariffs? 3. What is the difference between national debt and national deficit? 4. How much of the federal budget is spent on international aid? (1%, 10%, 20%?) 5. What is NATO? (minimum 100-word answer) 6. What is an executive order? 7. Explain veto vs. pocket veto Questions that would be too slanted for such a test: 1. Are tax cuts good for the economy? 2. Is the Earth six billion years old or several thousand years old? 3. creationism vs. evolution 4. most questions pertaining to religion ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2019, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763/11 "2019-03-30T13:45:11Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > You first. Explain to us how economics works. If you’re saying economics is so opaque and inscrutable that there is no point in trying to understand it, then I can’t help ya. When a survey of economists, both liberal and conservative, Keynesian and monetarist, overwhelmingly conclude that Trump’s trade policies are seriously detrimental to the economy, id say there is a consensus on some the basics. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2019, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763/12 "2019-03-30T13:47:06Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > For candidates, maybe some of the following questions: > > 1. Blank world map with unlabeled nations: Name at least 30 nations within three minutes. > 2. What are tariffs? > 3. What is the difference between national debt and national deficit? > 4. How much of the federal budget is spent on international aid? (1%, 10%, 20%?) > 5. What is NATO? (minimum 100-word answer) > 6. What is an executive order? > 7. Explain veto vs. pocket veto > > Questions that would be too slanted for such a test: > > 1. Are tax cuts good for the economy? > 2. Is the Earth six billion years old or several thousand years old? > 3. creationism vs. evolution > 4. most questions pertaining to religion I think if you don’t make it multiple choice, then you’ll have questions on who’s doing the grading. ---
**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:** [March 30, 2019, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763/13 "2019-03-30T13:54:39Z")
> [@KidCharlemagne](#): > > I think if you don’t make it multiple choice, then you’ll have questions on who’s doing the grading. Good point - plus, some candidates might not want their handwriting for everyone to see. ---
**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:** [March 30, 2019, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763/14 "2019-03-30T14:10:24Z")
> [@KidCharlemagne](#): > > If you’re saying economics is so opaque and inscrutable that there is no point in trying to understand it, then I can’t help ya. When a survey of economists, both liberal and conservative, Keynesian and monetarist, overwhelmingly conclude that Trump’s trade policies are seriously detrimental to the economy, id say there is a consensus on some the basics. Would you accept that as an answer to your test? ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2019, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763/15 "2019-03-30T14:21:56Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Would you accept that as an answer to your test? You are even more opaque and inscrutable than you believe economics to be. Please don’t run for President. ---
**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:** [March 30, 2019, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763/16 "2019-03-30T14:42:52Z")
> [@KidCharlemagne](#): > > You are even more opaque and inscrutable than you believe economics to be. Please don’t run for President. You don’t seem to recognize how difficult the test you suggest would be. Who is going to score this thing? What are the right answers to these issues? If that was something people could readily agree on they wouldn’t be campaign issues. And then even if this is done how will it be implemented? Will all the questions be kept secret up to some specific day when all candidates must take it together? If not what is to stop them from looking up the official answers? ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2019, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763/17 "2019-03-30T16:17:18Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > You don’t seem to recognize how difficult the test you suggest would be. Who is going to score this thing? What are the right answers to these issues? If that was something people could readily agree on they wouldn’t be campaign issues. > > And then even if this is done how will it be implemented? Will all the questions be kept secret up to some specific day when all candidates must take it together? If not what is to stop them from looking up the official answers? Why couldn’t you start with this rather than have me pull teeth for two replies? I was really asking about the theoretical idea of the policy rather than the practical implementation but since you ask - Create a bipartisan candidate qualification committee. The questions all have factual answers. Each party chooses a professor specializing in each area (economics, civics, international issues, etc) to form the questions, and each party’s professors contribute an equal number of questions and can maybe veto X number of questions. 100 questions from both parties are randomly selected from a pool, and everyone takes the same test at the same place and time. That’s just off the top of my head. I’m sure there are problems but somehow I think they could be figured out. We’ve worked through much tougher issues in the past. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2019, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763/18 "2019-04-01T00:36:54Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > You don’t seem to recognize how difficult the test you suggest would be. Who is going to score this thing? What are the right answers to these issues? If that was something people could readily agree on they wouldn’t be campaign issues. > > And then even if this is done how will it be implemented? Will all the questions be kept secret up to some specific day when all candidates must take it together? If not what is to stop them from looking up the official answers? Christ on a freaking crutch … take the average US high school social studies text book and get the questions out of that. I think Schoolhouse Rock gave tweens a better grasp of American government processes than Trump posesses … \ ---
**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:** [April 1, 2019, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763/19 "2019-04-01T02:24:51Z")
> [@KidCharlemagne](#): > > Why couldn’t you start with this rather than have me pull teeth for two replies? > > I was really asking about the theoretical idea of the policy rather than the practical implementation but since you ask - > > Create a bipartisan candidate qualification committee. The questions all have factual answers. Each party chooses a professor specializing in each area (economics, civics, international issues, etc) to form the questions, and each party’s professors contribute an equal number of questions and can maybe veto X number of questions. 100 questions from both parties are randomly selected from a pool, and everyone takes the same test at the same place and time. > > That’s just off the top of my head. I’m sure there are problems but somehow I think they could be figured out. We’ve worked through much tougher issues in the past. The questions all have factual answers? So you think we should qualify presidents with a trivia quiz? We have never worked out any issue as tough as the ones that just came off the top of your head. If you don’t like who gets to run for president you have to find a way to defeat them democratically, not with some elitist academic bullshit test. ---
**Author:** ![Unabashed\_Fascist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/c2a13f/32.png) [@Unabashed\_Fascist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unabashed_Fascist)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2019, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763/20 "2019-04-01T04:20:27Z")
I am not in favor of an aptitude test for presidential candidates. It’s likely unconstitutional. That said, it would be amusing if instead of a debate, each candidate was given say a calc-II exam, and had their papers graded on live T.V. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-in-favor-of-a-basic-knowledge-test-for-presidential-candidates/831763.md?page=2)