by Barney JP Not Smarter than an 5th Grader Shel Is Pres of Gather
Member since:
October 18, 2006

Should the PResident know the Constitution?

August 08, 2007 09:16 PM EDT
views: 87 | rating: 9.6/10 (5 votes) | comments: 27

Recently one of the people actively campaigning for the Office of the President of the United States made a comment about legality of activities. The position is contrary to what is written in the Constitution.  I am of the belief that everyone should have a working knowledge of the Constitution but what about people running for federal office?

Should not the people elected to represent us know the document they are sworn to uphold?

Would you knowingly vote for a candidate that does not know what is written in the Constitution?

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Comments: 27

Barney, can you divulge more details?
Angi R. Aug 8, 2007, 9:23pm EDT
Good God, one would hope we are all at least slightly familiar with it
Elizabeth, my apologies but not at this point. I first want reaction to the subject and reaction to the candidate later.

Angi, I agree
Ann J. Aug 8, 2007, 9:54pm EDT
NO,NO,NO !!!

Hi Barn !!
H. G. Aug 8, 2007, 9:58pm EDT
Hmmm...this is going to be interesting!
Hi, Ann!

Could be, H G
Ann J. Aug 8, 2007, 10:01pm EDT
I wonder how many of the candiates REALLY know all the workings of the Constitution?...I don't think Bush knows any. ...It our ,the voters responsibilty,to know and practice what is written there.....I must admit,I have read it several times,but some thing,I can't understand about it.
Ann J. Aug 8, 2007, 10:03pm EDT
>>>> somethings>>>>>
Nancy S. Aug 8, 2007, 10:05pm EDT
If it's somebody that's going to let his helpers cover his butt, then I definitely don't want him leading our country. I want a leader that pretty well knows the rules.
Ann, some of the candidates have shown a fair knowledge. As for Bush, with all of the accusations that have amounted to nothing it seems he has at least surrounded himself with people that are knowledgeable.

Nancy, to me that seems like the nature of politics in general.
I think if the constitution properly introduced itself to me, I'd be more than glad to become friends with it.

Which is why I should be elected. I'd have a beer with the constitution - probably a Sam Adams.
And A Sam Adams it is for the Next President of Gather!
John Philipp Aug 8, 2007, 10:23pm EDT
Barney, it's an interesting topic and a rhetorical question.
Susan *. Aug 8, 2007, 10:24pm EDT
Barney, my fine furry fantastically fabulous fuschia friend (try saying that five times REALLY fast!) there is NO way on this planet (or on any other the way I see it) that I would vote for anyone who did not know the constitution...it is far too important to our country to be something one only speaks of and does not know.... can anyone tell me how many articles to the constitution there are? ........hhhmmmmm?????????
Articles? Where? Can you imagine trying to count up all the Gather articles on the constitution?
Joseph H. Aug 9, 2007, 12:05am EDT
He's sworn to uphold it so he should understand it. Then again, he should also know how to pronounce "nuclear".
John, I wish it were.

Susan, thanks, but I can't.

Joseph, does that also include 20/20 vision? What about a height standard? Your answer implies that the President must be a man so why can't a woman be president? Do you also rule out certain religions?
I think it's a mistake for the president to know anything about the Constitution. The president needs to come up with creative solutions to problems. Let's face it. The Constitution has prevented all sorts of really sensible solutions to problems. The Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment, for example, have shackled great leaders. How about the two term limit? Anyway, a good signing statement can make up for a lot.
Joseph H. Aug 10, 2007, 8:47pm EDT
As far gender, I was referring specifically to the one we have now.

I don't think vision and height have anything to do with leadership, but since a presidental campaign is essentially a marketing campaign, image is huge. I'd rule out all religions, myself. But I realize that's not the position of most people.
arlene (no shame in my game) w. Aug 10, 2007, 9:21pm EDT
Isn't that kind of an oxymoron?
arlene (no shame in my game) w. Aug 10, 2007, 9:22pm EDT
I wouldn't vote for a moron!
Ali Hussein Lopez Jul 21, 2008, 9:46am EDT
I'll take the guy who taught contstitutional law at the University of Chicago.
Lisa Gensheimer Sep 14, 2008, 11:03am EDT
I'm with Erik. He not only taught it, he respects it, and puts forth substantive plans to help our country live up to it.
Carla G. Sep 14, 2008, 11:11am EDT
A candidate should definitely know the Constitution! Obama has a background in Constitutional law from Harvard. He knows it and I believe will insist on us maintaining the rights given to us under this document, something that Bush has worked to destroy.
The original post was about Ron Paul not knowing that Congress declares war and that the President issues the Declaration of War. He later showed that he does not understand that Customs enforcement does not require a warrant.

If Obama is such Constitutional Scholar then why does he not believe in Equal Protection Under The Law? I have not seen anything to have me believe that Obama respects the Constitution.
Charles Temm JR Feb 24, 2009, 3:00pm EST
Great question. Many of our elected officials profess to know the Constitution, what is obvious is that very few of them bother to hew to it--Dem or Repub.

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