Does it really matter if a candidate is a "qualified" for office? And what makes a candidate "qualified" anyway?

[Anonymous]

Like that new mayor of NYC has no "qualifications" to be mayor, but so what? Maybe he has a good ideas. Lots of people running for Congress have no experience either, such as that woman who just lost the Tennessee Congressional special election, but who cares? I mean, what did Donald Trump ever do to be "qualified"? Maybe despite their lack of qualifications, they can make good politicians. What do you think?

I agree. Being "qualified" is overrated. I just want good ideas and policies!

No, qualified is one of the key things I look for in a candidate. It is very important that the candidate be qualified.

[loveslongnails]

Oddly enough, your first choice includes several aspects of what being qualified really is about! You need good ideas first in order to arrive at good policies. You also need to have at least a basic understanding of what skills you need for your chosen office.
* Do you know the software involved and if not, can you learn quickly?
* Are you responsible for a budget? Do you have an understanding of how that works? * Are your required to supervise or instruct others that report to you? Do you have the skills for doing so, i. e successful experience?
* Are you a clear, concise communicator?
* Do you get along with a wide variety of personalities?
* Are you able to focus on detailed tasks?

All of those things and more make you more, or less, qualified for a position. Does that mean you MUST have any of them to get elected? Absolutely not. Elections are most often nothing more than a popularity contest. A good portion of the leadership on local, state and federal levels are just plain old dumb as rocks in areas they shouldn't be, but it never stops them from being elected. If you're in Congress, your aides do all the heavy lifting for you and get the information you need anyway.

[exitseven]

Somebody needs to at least have some qualifications to hold a particular job. If I knew nothing about computers, I could not even get an interview to work in IT. Somebody could have good ideas but if they have no clue how to implement them than they have failed.
President Trump has never held public office but he has run a multi billion dollar real estate and construction company. He has had many public/ private projects and has navigated government agencies and has handled a lot of politicians. Some he is still handling. He knows how to implement his ideas.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Wait a minute. Trump's a white billionaire, which makes him EMINENTLY qualified in MAGANs' blinkered view.