When I said, outsiders are needed to change Washington but not outsiders in government, I meant insiders in state and local government, outsiders in federal government. The ideal background of a presidential candidate would be an education in political science and or law, experience in local and state government, limited experience at the federal level and the military coupled with experience in the private sector and community service.
You like so many people seem to think politics and government is so simple that no knowledge or experience is needed. If you wheeled and dealed your way to billions in real estate, then you have all you need.
The idea that because the founders did not see any reason for experience in government is just a bit ridiculous today. Things have changed. In Jefferson's day, the federal government was a relatively simple organization, much smaller than many of our businesses, 4 departments in the executive branch, 15 today, a budget of 22 billion versus 3 trillion. Anyone who wanted to see the president just dropped in and waited. Being a congressmen was a part time job. Today, the less knowledgeable and experienced a president or congressmen is the more he will be influenced by insiders because without knowledge he has to depend on them.
No one can have all the knowledge and experience they need as president but that does not mean knowing nothing is enough. Trump is a wonderful example of this. His handling of the media is a disaster because he doesn't know how to use the media to his advantage. His executive orders are blocked by the courts because he doesn't know what passes as constitutional. He insults people in his own party that he will need as president. He hires people that are not well qualified because he doesn't understand the function of job. He hires based on what he understands, loyalty, and pleasing his supporters. His dealings with Congress has yielded nothing unless you consider having his key campaign promise, the Wall blocked.
Military leaders as president rarely need much help understanding military or foreign policy. Presidents with a background in economics, need little help formulating their economic policy. Experienced leaders in congress need little help in putting together legislation and piloting a path leading to passage. Presidents with background in law have little problem understanding legislation or writing executive orders. Presidents with extensive experience in handling the media need little help here. However, when a president has none of the above, he needs help with everything or he does as Trump often does. He just guesses and wings his way through with often disastrous results.
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