Among Other Things, by Paul Fugleberg

Want to run for president?

 A few years ago I compared presidential nominating conventions to circuses. This time I find them to be like a horse race – especially on the Republican side. The list of potential candidates totals almost as many potential entrants as the Kentucky Derby.

And like the Derby entries there’s a wide range of odds – a few favorites that are expected to run well; some hopeless long shots that you wonder why they want to enter in the first place. Some run well on a dry track while a few others actually prefer a muddy track.  

Candidates emerging as victors in the primaries and ultimately in the nominating conventions are going to have fewer competitors, of course, but will face numerous challenges requiring convincing answers to earn electors’ favor. Among other things, nominees will have to come up with remedies to such problems as radical ISIS terrorism threats, cyber attacks, global issues, natural disasters, water shortages, economic problems, health care, Social Security, and trying to work with other legislators on a reasonable basis.

Also, there are always multiple responsibilities involved in finding qualified people to efficiently and honestly guide the cabinets, and countless agencies that keep the overall government functioning on a daily basis. Those are just starters, too.  

It’s going to take a lot more than horse sense. Perhaps common sense?