To become president of the United States, a candidate must meet certain eligibility requirements and then enter the presidential competition. Presidential competitions today do not require the support of a political party, other than for help in terms of organization and fundraising. Become president by making sure you meet the requirements, declaring your candidacy, selecting a candidate for vice president, and running for the top office in the United States.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Meet the Eligibility Requirements
Step 1. Prove that you are a physically born citizen in the United States
This is a constitutional requirement. If you are currently a citizen but were born in another country, you are not eligible to become president.
Step 2. Turn 35
The Constitution prohibits those who are not yet 35 years old from becoming president.
The average age of those who become president for the first time is 55. If you're curious, the average president is also married, has children, doesn't have a beard, and was probably born in Virginia
Step 3. Live in the United States for at least 14 consecutive years before running for the presidency
This residency requirement is found in Article II of the Constitution, with the other two eligibility requirements.
Step 4. Take care of your education
While there are no academic qualifications or necessary experience, almost all presidents are college graduates and have studied law or economics before entering politics. You will find very useful courses in history, sociology, law, economics and international relations.
- When you're in college, it's a good idea to volunteer for political campaigns (to understand how they work) and to help the community. Being active, involved and recognized by the community (as a leader) is something you should aspire to as soon as possible.
- 31 presidents have some kind of military experience, but this number is inflated by presidents of the past - not as common as it once was. So while joining the army is a possibility, it's not necessary.
Step 5. Look for a career related to politics
While not mandatory, aspiring presidents enter the political arena on a much smaller scale. So get involved in your community! Candidates for mayor, governor or senator, or some other office at the state level. It will be helpful for you to make your name known.
- You don't have to follow this path. You may also decide to pursue a career as a community organizer, lawyer, or activist. Getting your name out, meeting people, and getting to know yourself is simply the easiest way to get into the White House.
- The sooner you choose a political party, the better. You will have a strong political record, you will start meeting people worth knowing and you will be able to develop your reputation right from the start. It will be much easier to get the funds in 15 years when you desperately need it!
Part 2 of 4: Becoming a Candidate for the Presidency
Step 1. Talk to family and supporters
Becoming president includes a grueling campaign in which every moment of your personal and professional life is divided between the media and your competitors. You will need support. It will be very hard for you, and for your family. All you need to do during the campaign is move from one city to another and have very little time for your wife and children. Is it worth it?
Step 2. Form an exploratory committee
This commission can "test the waters" or determine what your odds of success are. This is the first step in starting the race for the presidency. Appoint a campaign manager to organize this committee for you. This figure should be covered by a person you know and trust, who has experience with politics, fundraising and campaigning.
Use your exploratory committee to assess the level of public visibility (i.e. the likelihood of success) and to develop strategies, themes and slogans for your campaign. The committee should also recruit potential donors, supporters, staff and volunteers, and write political speeches and essays. Hopefully, they will start organizing in key states (Iowa, New Hampshire, etc.)
Step 3. Register with the Federal Election Commission (FEC)
When you start receiving donations or spend more than $ 5,000, you need to register. While this does not mean that you are officially a candidate, the FEC will assume that you are. You wouldn't spend that much money otherwise.
- Submit a Statement of Nomination within 15 days of reaching the $ 5,000 threshold. After submitting the declaration, you have 10 days to submit an Organization Declaration.
- Submit a report on campaign income and expenses to the FEC on a quarterly basis. For information, the Obama campaign in 2008 cost $ 730 million.
Step 4. Publicly state your application
This is an opportunity to organize a rally for supporters and voters. Most presidential candidates hold a rally in their hometown or some other significant location. So take out the t-shirts, pins and stickers. It's time for the campaign!
Part 3 of 4: Being Elected President
Step 1. Raise the funds
Presidential campaigns are expensive. According to the final report from the federal finance ministry, the costs of the 2012 presidential election campaigns totaled about $ 2 BILLION. So if you can collect about half of that amount, you're on horseback.
- Diversify your fundraising strategies. You can count on a political party if you are the chosen candidate of that party. If you have to face other party members in the primary or you don't belong to a major party (the sheer size of the figure is the reason for aspiring presidents to join one of the two largest parties), you will need to raise funds from other sources.
- Raise funds from big donors, but also from small ones. In 2012, presidential candidates attended events that cost donors $ 1,000 per ticket and appealed for $ 3 donations online.
Step 2. Appeal to the average American
To become president, you need to shake hands, kiss babies, attend events in small towns, and visit factories, veterans, churches, farms, and businesses. You will need to put the diamond cufflinks away and wear khakis.
Al Gore said he invented the internet. John Edwards had a mistress. Mitt Romney said half of American voters don't pay taxes. These are three things Americans don't like. Wherever you are - even if you don't think you are registered - always behave in an exemplary manner. The public does not easily forget certain things
Step 3. Win the primary elections, the electoral committee and the delegates
Each state has a different way of choosing a president. It may be necessary to win an election committee, a primary election, or a majority of delegates in a state. Winning these preliminary stages grants you big voters who will vote for your entry into the White House.
Each state has different laws, and so are the parties themselves. Democrats have "sworn delegates" and "super delegates"; Republicans have "sworn" and "non-sworn" delegates. Some states have a system that gives all votes to the winner, while others give you a percentage of delegates that mirrors the percentage of votes you get
Step 4. Attend your party convention
Once you emerge as the strongest candidate in your political party, a conference will be held where all delegates will pledge to lend their support for your candidacy. In the past it was at these conventions that delegates voted, but now the media provide information about the electoral victory in advance, so these are more symbolic events. Either way, it's a party in your honor.
- This is the one day that parties prefer to focus on how wonderful they are instead of how terrible others are. So enjoy this short moment of positivity!
- This will be the occasion when you declare your candidate for vice president. This is a very important step - if the voters don't approve of your choice, you could lose votes. So think carefully!
Step 5. Compete in the general election
This is a narrow field that often pits two main candidates against each other, one from the Democratic Party and the other from the Republican Party. Here it gets serious.
Enter the race as a third party if you don't have the backing of a major party but still want to be president. Other parties that support presidential candidates are the Green Party, the Natural Law Party and the Liberal Party. Some presidential candidates may also run as independents
Step 6. Do your best in the election campaign
You will fly from San Francisco to Chicago to New York City in one day. You will be exhausted and driven only by adrenaline and willpower. You will have to shake hands, smile and give speeches like a tireless robot. And maybe you are!
The campaign is usually divided into three parts: roots, on the ground and in the air. You have already overcome the root part - you have created a stable foundation; now you are taking care of the part on the ground - you are practically running from coast to coast; then you will go on air (on air) - your presence in the media will have to be constant
Part 4 of 4: Enter the White House
Step 1. Stay true to your ideas and promises and don't compromise
You've come far. Now you just need to be yourself, be charismatic, make sure whoever writes the dialogues for you does a great job, and avoid scandals and missteps. Let them know what you believe in and what you want to do for the country. Then keep your word. Try to keep your image as consistent and clean as possible.
Not only will your words bounce everywhere, but so will your image - advertisements you've supported, YouTube videos, photos from the past, etc. Whatever is said to tarnish your name, you won't have to give in
Step 2. Master the debates
It will not be enough for you to know your ideas, but you will also have to know perfectly those of your opponent. You will have to speak in a way that convinces the general public by inflating your campaign and weakening that of your competitors. You will also need to master the use of body language and tone. You took university speaking courses, right?
When JFK stared at the camera with his presence, young and tanned, the sweaty and sickly Nixon had no chance of winning. Charisma will earn you tons of votes. If you've made it this far, you're probably quite used to the limelight and constant pressure. But if the pressure is such that you bend over, remember the most important rule: never show it
Step 3. Win the presidential election
You will have to do more than just win the popular vote, which is the count of all the votes in your favor. You will also need to win the constituency. 270 votes and you will do it! When the votes are counted, on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, try not to bite your nails or tear your hair. You will be able to sleep after the election is over.
Each state has a certain number of voters, according to size and population. To become president, you will need to get more electoral votes than the other. In case of a tie, the House of Representatives will decide the election
Step 4. You will be appointed president on January 20th
Hurray! All the effort, the money, the travel and the stress - it's over! Until you have to start solving the world's problems. You will have a couple of months to recover, then the Oval Office will be yours. How will you decide to furnish it ?!
