I keep watching the campaign, and can't fathom why someone would subject themselves and their family to the scrutiny that comes with a national election campaign. Why would you want to be president? It's not like you're a dictator and can do whatever you want...you have to schmooze congress and get them to play along. You could literally nuke some other country, or at least drop bombs on them, but to what end? History tends to be unkind to many people who occupy high office. Just the endless security would be stultifying. I'm puzzled...I cherish my anonymity and can't imagine having my every move watched, recorded, and dissected on TV and radio talk shows every evening.

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2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

Well, it's usually only a 4-yr post, and it does look kind of good on a resume.

2008-2012
President, United States of America



Then it's all paid public speaking appearances all the way to a waterfront property in Bermuda...

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Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

power

First you get the...then you...

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Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

Interns.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

...who inhale.

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Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

stole my answer...



money

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1984 300TD

X3..........

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Matt (SD,CA)

1984 300SD.. White/Chrome Bunts..Green

1997 2500 Dodge Ram 5.9 Cummins 12 Valve 36 PSI of Boost = 400+hp & 800+tQ .. ..Greenspeed

2004 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Quad Cab Cummins 5.9 H.O "596hp/1225tq" 6 spd. Man. Leather Heated seats/Loaded..Flame Red....GREENSPEED

Global warming...Doing my part, Smokin da hippies..

Fight the good fight!......

You get to hang with Rumsfeld.

Seriously, what kind of selfish oaf would drag his/her whole family through this process? Power is fine, as far as that goes, but I've seen pic's of presidents before and after their terms, it ages them tremendously. I have always felt sorry for the kids, look at the Bush twins getting busted drinking with false ID's, if daddy was not the POTUS, nobody would care. Surely Chelsea Clinton didn't have a normal college experience, with Secret Service agents hovering around.

There's always the threat of physical danger, either to the president, or his family, too. Lincoln, McKinley, Garfield, Kennedy, all paid with their lives. Doesn't seem worth it.

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2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

I also agree that it is about POWER. And not only that but also be "immortalized" in history. Making headlines is one thing but making history is a whole new field.

There might be another reason (stay with me here).

How about a desire to improve things for the better ?

(seriously, stay with me here).

As president, you'd have influence to make a lot of calls that would improve life/the world/society, change lives for the better, stifle corruption and....uhh....nevermind =)

Yeah, I guess they just do it for the power.

-John

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2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

Damn.

I was going to say that.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Being able to do things for the better takes power too.

I agree it is a tough thing for your family.....but I am seriously glad somebody is willing to do it.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I wonder how many people who could do a great job as Prez would not even consider it, due to the personal cost...think about how the press treated FDR, with his polio, and JFK with his extracurriculars...those guys would never have even gotten nominated now because the press would have eaten them alive. Kind of a shame...

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2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics