George Will, on This Week just laid out this test, as told to him by Zbignew Bryzenski (former Carter National Security Advisor):

You are awakened in the middle of the night with news about an attack on America. You have 3 minutes to figure out what is going on, and inform the president. the president then has 4 minutes to figure out what to do, and how to respond.

Who among the people who are running for president do you want in charge given this scenario?

Webb

"i'll just finish up this story, kinda curious myself how it ends."

I thought about that as I typed this.

Will's argument, btw, was for Giuliani

Dubya.

totally.

Advisor: "Mr. President, the country is under attack."

Kucinich: "Nuke the fuckers!"

Jack Bauer

[img][388:500]http://hosted.ap.org/photos/F/FX11001050323-big.jpg[/img]


Seriously though, I'm not sure I'd want any of them...at least not right now.

if this is the sole criteria for a presidency, Giulani wins this hands down, but it's not. We've only had two "attacks" on America in the last 70 years so the president better be able to do other things well.

Well we fucked that up the last couple of elections.

is Cobra Commander available?

I always thought that destro was pulling the strings, all Cheney-like.

destro really was the brains. but he didnt have the personality to really move an organization like c.c.

ladies and gentlemen, i have been flummoxed.

Excellent point.

That said, I'm partial to Wes Clark being either guy in this scenario.

They really jumped the shark when they brought in Serpentor though, eh?

we don't speak that name in this house.

First of all, the original Cobra Commander was a brilliant military strategist and public speaker. He has everything an evil dictator needs. Really his downfall was relying on loser low-level crooks to do his bidding - which is why he murdered them by collapsing in the volcano on Cobra Island. The only thing he personally did wrong was consistently underestimate the Joes.

Destro was more of a political strategist, although he pulled some nasty tricks on the battlefield too. Destro never pulled CCs strings, but they were constantly at odds, which is why he split from Cobra somewhat early on. His family fortune and weapons business made him a big enough force to be reckoned with on his own. He even won the 2nd Joe vs. Cobra War prettily easily.

Serpentor was a dick. When Zartan put an arrow through his skull from 75 yards away it was a great day.

I don't think this is a very good test, especially considering that Webb & Clark are names that have been suggested here. I have nothing against military guys in the White House, but Webb and Clark are not presidential caliber.

I also agree with Tanner, because it neglects tons of issues that face the presidency.

Tom Brady gets my vote.

...and, um, the ex-Governor of Texas was of that "caliber?" What then are the measurements?

I chose Webb as the answer to "7 minute" question, not because he was a military man, but rather because he seemed to have a calm, quick, and courageous intellect. I'd also suggest he is of the "caliber" to be president because of strong, but common-sense, focus on economic justice, and a wise and balanced view of what America's foreign relations should be.

I posted it not because I believe it is the only measure, but to give you a glimose of how the Repubs will want to frame this debate. Think about it in context of who their nom might be v. who the Democrat nom might be.

I dunno harry, while I know economic justice is one of your biggies, I just don't see you as a Webb guy. Then again, I probably don't believe in anything McCain says or does, but greatly admire him. Politics, Strange bedfellows and all.

Do yourself a favor and go pick up a copy of The Nightengale's song post-haste.