Many people would answer no if asked the question, "Are the skills to become president different form those needed to function as president?" The skills considered necessary to get elected are often different from, or sometimes contradictory to those a president needs in order to preside over. However, some skills cross both roles, being a candidate and a president. They are few in number, compared to the many differences. .
There are five main skills looked-for to be a successful presidential candidate. Candidates must be able to campaign, debate well, be public friendly, show a positive personality, raise campaign funds, and represent an entire political party. These skills are necessary during primary and general elections. The act of campaigning is a skill in its" self. As Wayne stated, in Is This a Way to Run a Democratic Election, "a campaign exists in a state of perpetual motion." Candidates must keep up with, and often stay ahead of campaign events. Candidates must also be mentally prepared, there can only be one victor and candidates should be ready for election results to go either way. Candidates are judged by their potential for office based on their ideas, promises, and experience. During a campaign, ideas and promises can be placed in the same category, due to the fact neither can be put into practice during the campaign. Another aspect of campaigning is the candidate's ability to get his/her point across to the voters.
Candidates must be excellent debaters. Voters look at debates to determine the candidate's knowledge on various issues, their personality, political and personal drive for wanting the office, and compare the candidates to each other. Being capable of speaking well in public can help during debates as well as other dealings. Candidates are expected to give an uncountable number of speeches between nominations and Election Day. An effective candidate must clearly and powerfully pass on his/her message to the voters.
