[nicespringgirl]

Most candidates who are running for Senators and Presidents-
Hold a law degree. Out of 43 presidents, 25 have been lawyers. It also helps to have government service on your re'sume'-- 17 governors, 15 senators and 19 members of the House of Representatives have become president.

Do you have to have a law degree to be able to run, is that a plus?

Why?

[Choux]

In law school, a person learns how to think logically and clearly, how to make arguments for their case from the ground up, how to think quickly on their feet, how to obfuscate while arguing, etc... running for office is brutal.

To get into law school, an individual must have a good academic record and a good IQ.

[nicespringgirl]

Great response. It makes perfect sense!

How about holding other degrees?
I am completely humble but I just want to point it out based on my personal experience.
I ran for the Vice President of Student Government of a 20,000 population with 87% white population, the debate was very intense. All my competitors were PS majors, but I was an accounting and engineering double major asian female with English as second language.
I eventually won.It was a great learning lesson for me.
I always believe what counts is the passion, personality and good intention. Of course the knowledge about politics but I don't see a PS degree is that necessary.

[Dark_crow]

Most candidates who are running for Senators and Presidents-
Hold a law degree. Out of 43 presidents, 25 have been lawyers. It also helps to have government service on your re'sume'-- 17 governors, 15 senators and 19 members of the House of Representatives have become president.

Do you have to have a law degree to be able to run, is that a plus?

Why?

A certain degree of knowledge about Law is absolutely necessary, even for most citizens; but no, for a president I believe a degree in History is a much better qualification than one in Law. I say that because knowledge of History is knowledge of man’.

[nicespringgirl]

That's right! "knowledge of History is knowledge of man". Absolutely correct!
So candidates who have not gotten a law or history related degree problly won't have a chance to be elected even for running the State Senator position?

[inthebox]

Off the top of my head

Govenor fletcher
Former Govenor Dean
Tom Coburn
Ron Paul
Bill Frist


Are or were physicians





Grace and Peace

[nicespringgirl]

I noticed that!
I was about to say, but I bet it's more challenge for them to run, is it?
I think it's good to have a variety different roles in the State and Nation, more than only lawyers.

[BABRAM]

By far the majority of nationally known politicians started their aspirations into politics in local towns, cities, or county elections. Most recognized are lawyers, followed by doctors, then perhaps those whom had extensive military careers. The small local elections often vote the attorneys in, not because of their professional knowledge in law, but because they are more recognizable than the average person and considered safe. However when the attorney decides to step up to the State election, then National platforms, yes their law experience comes into play. Personally I respect the physicians that run for any office more than just about any other profession.



Bobby

[Fr_Chuck]

No there is no requirement, in general political people, esp those that run for president have to be rich, that is the main requirement.

And you have to know people and have connections. Normally formal political office at the state level and often at federal level is needed so that people will know who you are.

So unless you have a very big PR program like one of the newer canidates for president does on this election, they need to have their names known.
This of course has helped people like Bush, ( son of previous President)
Or from TV and movies.

For many offices you could elect the local butcher if you have enough money to throw at that election. Take one of TN mayor races, people spend 200,00 dollars for a job that pays about 40,000 a year.

[nicespringgirl]

It does sound safe for lawyers to run since they do know a lot more than most other professionals.
How would u feel about Finance Professionals like some CFOs of any global 500. Finance rules the world nowadays, money talks in most of cases. I kind of see economists,finance professional and civil engineers are coming up candidates. ;)

[ordinaryguy]

It takes a different set of skills to run a successful campaign and get elected than it does to be an effective legislator or executive. Just as it takes a different set of skills to get good grades in school than it does to be a productive employee who can work well with others. So it really shouldn't be too surprising that many of those who get elected to public office aren't very good at governing, and that many of those who do well in school aren't very good at the jobs they trained for.

The particular subject matter that a person studies in school has very little correlation to what they do later in life. About the only skill that transfers is how to cooperate. Regrettably, it isn't part of most curricula, and many people never learn it. The adversarial model is far more popular, and that may be part of the reason why so many lawyers go into politics. Winning elections or court cases is all about besting your opponent. Leading and governing is more about persuading and inspiring. And we wonder why our political leaders disappoint us so often. The skills needed to get the job are the exact opposite of those needed to be successful at it.

[ETWolverine]

There is certainly no requirement for a law degree to run for office. Senator John Glenn was an astronaut. Congressman Sonny Bono was an entertainer/singer. Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger is a movie star (calling him an "actor" would be too charitable). Michael Bloomberg has a business degree. George W. Bush is the first President to have an MBA degree, and does not have a law degree. Former Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tn) and current Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Ok) are both MD, not attorneys. So it is certainly not REQUIRED to have a law degree to be elected to the federal government.

I'm not even sure whether a law degree is particularly helpful in politics at the federal level. It would seem to me that a degree in public administration or political science and government would be more helpful than a law degree. Or perhaps economics or finance. I don't see the particular advantage of a law degree.

Elliot

[nicespringgirl]

I'm not even sure whether a law degree is particularly helpful in politics at the federal level.

That's exactly what I have concerned.

According to what OG has explained I think Priests will problly have an advantage on it too.