Facebook Pixel Who Should Really Run for President? | Newsweek US - news - Read this story on Magzter.com
Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just

$149.99
 
$74.99/Year

Try GOLD - Free

Who Should Really Run for President?

Newsweek US

|

January 05 - 12, 2024 (Double Issue)

There's widespread disagreement about who the country needs as our next leader. These candidates aren't the ones you'd expect

- MATT ROBISON

Who Should Really Run for President?

AT THIS POINT, THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS IS DEFEATING TRUMP AND AVERTING TOTAL DYSTOPIAN DISASTER IN 2024.

WHEN NEWSWEEK ASKED ME "WHO DO I WISH was running for President," I thought the answer was pretty obvious. As in, "Do you like ice cream?" or "Is the Pope Catholic?" DUH-level obvious.

After all, if we've learned one thing from the past seven years, it's how much competence matters. Donald Trump's ineptitude led to cataclysm. Trump's own COVID-19 response leader said his incompetence killed more than 130,000 Americans, one of thousands of stupid decisions from someone who had no idea what he was doing and couldn't have cared less about government, other than as a reality show-esque ego trip, money grab and vehicle for personal revenge.

Once we returned leadership to someone who was experienced, knowledgeable and sane, America reaped incredible rewards, including the most successful vaccination program in American history, getting our kids back in schools, the greatest single year of U.S. job creation, and the lowest unemployment in 50 years.

So the answer to the question seems clear: We should wish for a serious political professional with decades of proven government experience, right?

Nope. I went with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Before you dismiss me as crazy, unserious or both, hear me out.

Competence won't address our biggest problem. Joe Biden was one of the most seasoned and able government professionals ever elected, using his expertise to pass reams of legislation to rival the most productive periods of American government in history. He has accomplishments out the wazoo.

MORE STORIES FROM Newsweek US

Newsweek US

Newsweek US

JACK WHITEHALL

COMEDIAN JACK WHITEHALL IS TRADING PUNCHLINES FOR THE “GOOD TYPE OF NERVES” in the new series 'The Burbs. In this latest role, the British comedian navigates the “uncomfortable territories” of neighborhood life, a setting he finds surprisingly familiar.

time to read

1 mins

February 27 - March 6, 2026

Newsweek US

Newsweek US

Out of This World

Elon Musk has made orbital computing—operating data centers in space—central to the future of artificial intelligence, arguing that the next phase of AI will move large amounts of computing infrastructure off Earth.

time to read

1 min

February 27 - March 6, 2026

Newsweek US

Newsweek US

A WAR OF INCHES

The conflict between Kyiv and Moscow has become one of attrition, analysts say, with both sides paying a high price for small gains

time to read

7 mins

February 27 - March 6, 2026

Newsweek US

Newsweek US

NEXT-DOOR ENABLER

How Beijing's carefully calibrated support has helped sustain Moscow as it fights Ukraine—without crossing key red lines

time to read

4 mins

February 27 - March 6, 2026

Newsweek US

Newsweek US

Can Ken Martin Save the Democrats From Themselves?

The party may be winning special elections and polling strongly, yet members remain anxious. A year into his reign, the DNC chair is betting on organizing and infrastructure—not insiders—to turn momentum into power

time to read

16 mins

February 27 - March 6, 2026

Newsweek US

Newsweek US

WHO WILL STRIKE GOLD AT THE ACADEMY AWARDS?

If you're looking to win your friends' pool, here are our favorites to take home the trophies

time to read

3 mins

February 27 - March 6, 2026

Newsweek US

Newsweek US

ONE OPINION AFTER ANOTHER

Two-time Oscar winner Sean Penn has always worn his politics on his sleeve. After gaining a sixth Academy Award nomination for One Battle After Another, the actor tells Newsweek about giving his statuette to Volodymyr Zelensky, how Nicolás Maduro should be in prison and why Donald Trump won in 2024

time to read

12 mins

February 27 - March 6, 2026

Newsweek US

Newsweek US

Out of This World

Elon Musk has made orbital computing—operating data centers in space—central to the future of artificial intelligence, arguing that the next phase of AI will move large amounts of computing infrastructure off Earth. That logic underpinned the merger of SpaceX and xAI in a $1.25 trillion deal, aligning rocket launch capacity with the future needs of AI computing.

time to read

1 min

February 27 - March 6, 2026

Newsweek US

Newsweek US

OSCARS EMBRACE THE DARK SIDE

With record-breaking nods for Sinners, 2026 marks a shift toward horror. The Academy Awards may have finally gotten over its fear of the macabre

time to read

4 mins

February 27 - March 6, 2026

Newsweek US

Newsweek US

LOVE IN THE LINE OF FIRE

In Ukraine's front-line city of Kramatorsk, couples separated by war risk brief reunions as Russian forces close in

time to read

8 mins

February 27 - March 6, 2026

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size