Bill Gates for President?!

Published on December 5th, 2006

Posted by SN in General

Every four years pundits, radio talk show hosts and U.S. citizens beg for a presidential candidate who’s not a career politician. And every four years the two major parties nominate — you guessed it — career politicians! No true, non-political alternatives have the party backing, or, it seems, the ability to connect and gain our trust.

Here’s a name that could overcome all these obstacles: Bill Gates. Not the old Bill Gates spouting technology, wearing ill-fitting clothes and crushing competitors for sport (though his company is doing this with relish and third parties are paying the price). No. I’m talking about the new Gates of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

I mentioned this idea to my mother and her eyes opened wide (the way they did every time my high school assistant principal called) and she exclaimed “Wow!” After a few seconds of thought she said “Wow” again.

Bill has no major skeletons (I’m guessing) and has taken non-political, purely rational stances on today’s major issues.

Who would you trust to develop a policy on global warming? Who is today’s best ambassador to the third world, to India, to China? But Bill has no experience in foreign policy! True, but neither did the governor of Georgia, California, Arkansas or Texas. Imagine if our fundamental approach to the world was based on logical approaches to curing disease, spreading opportunity, saving the environment and teaching children. A foreign policy flowing from this river would be rich indeed.

Dilbert creator Scott Adams writes in his blog that Gates would make a good candidate.

By then, Bill Gates will have done so much good for the world through his charitable works that combined with his business success he’ll appear more qualified than any other candidate. His early bachelor life and some of his business practices will come back to haunt him if he runs, but he can still win with this simple slogan: “Who would you rather have on your side?” He’ll confess to all of his past imperfections and say that presidents are poor choices for role models. He’ll advise you to look to your parents for role models while you let him run the country.

45 users responded in " Bill Gates for President?! "

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# 1 Ricardo said, on December 5th, 2006 at 10:10 am

I had not thought of Bill for president, but after reading this blog entry I think it is a great idea that deserves further exploration. The main question I have is does he want to do it? I have never heard any political aspirations from Bill Gates. Free ipods with “Vote for Bill” on them!

# 2 Mike Voice said, on December 5th, 2006 at 10:10 am

At least you know he wouldn’t be taking the job to enrich himself.

Warren Buffet for Secretary of the Treasury!

# 3 Mike said, on December 5th, 2006 at 10:15 am

Having read a few books on the subject, it seems to me that Bill Gates is a smart guy who stumbled upon success rather than having created it.

# 4 bill 2 said, on December 5th, 2006 at 10:24 am

Mr. Gates is too smart to accept the job I would think.

But that said I’d rather have Steve Jobs as President.

I mean, would you want the job?

# 5 Mucous said, on December 5th, 2006 at 10:27 am

Because of all the stresses and problems associated with the job, almost by definition, anyone who actually wants the job isn’t qualified or has something wrong with them.

I believe it was L. Neil Smith in some of his books who came up with a system where the President was drafted at random. If the person picked did a crappy job they were forced to serve a second term as punishment.

# 6 Smartalix said, on December 5th, 2006 at 10:28 am

3,
I would say that Gates is someone who was handed a fantastic opportunity and didn’t f*ck it up. That’s something, as many who get such things usually screw the pooch (like our current president). I’d be happy with someone who knows how to deal with the situations presented to him.

# 7 Tom 2 said, on December 5th, 2006 at 10:30 am

I think this might be plausible, he is pro business, pro anti poverty, he is obviously is a vicious no holds bar kind of guy, and thats a quality politicians have to have whether they want to or not. And technology is the basis a strong economy which would help our country.

# 8 DDub said, on December 5th, 2006 at 10:37 am

He could start an exploratory committee for the 2008 election, but he wouldn’t run until 2012.

# 9 ken said, on December 5th, 2006 at 11:02 am

there’s nothing wrong with a career politicians

career politicians know how to negotiate deals based on intangible favors and international diplomacy, not just supply-and-demand marketplace economics.

and what the hell does running a software company or a big charity do to prepare you to deploy soldiers into harm’s way?

this is a spiffy-sounding idea, and businessmen and women apparently make good mayors and governors who deal almost exclusively with domestic issues, but being commander-in-chief of the world’s most powerful arsenal might require a bit deeper bench in world politics — and i don’t mean wrangle with eu bureaucrats.

# 10 SN said, on December 5th, 2006 at 11:09 am

“what the hell does running a software company or a big charity do to prepare you to deploy soldiers into harm’s way?”

What the hell does being governor of a state do to prepare you to deploy soldiers into harm’s way? I personally cannot remember the last time a state declared war. Maybe you’re a little older than I am.

# 11 Mike Sax said, on December 5th, 2006 at 11:12 am

So John, what do you think about this? Would you vote for him?

# 12 Improbus said, on December 5th, 2006 at 11:12 am

Ken, you do know who our current president is, right?

# 13 Mucous said, on December 5th, 2006 at 11:19 am

#9 – how does being a Governor or a 1 term Senator or Representative give you any better handle on the items you mentioned?

# 14 Olo Baggins of Bywater said, on December 5th, 2006 at 11:24 am

The problem with businessmen as pols is that sometimes they forget where they are. In business when you are The Boss, you can just create a new reality from nothing by talking about your vision a lot and getting your underlings to make it happen, regardless if they think it’s a stupid idea. Microsoft Bob and Windows ME are good examples. But in end when it sucks, you can just dump it and move forward, erase it from memory and pretend it never existed.

In politics, you can’t just dump your really bad ideas and forget about them. As much as some recent presidents would like to…

# 15 Elwood Pleebus said, on December 5th, 2006 at 11:25 am

Wasn’t this tried with Ross Perot . Wasn’t he a big businessman (or a big-business man)? sorry, my history is a little fuzzy.

Career politicians are only interested in propagating their careers.

# 16 SN said, on December 5th, 2006 at 11:30 am

“you can’t just dump your really bad ideas and forget about them.”

Yeah you can. When Clinton first got into office he tried to set up socialized medicine in the US. Remember how he set up Hilary to be in charge of the project? Anyway, it went bust. The same could be said of W’s plan to privatize social security. He failed and moved on.

# 17 RTaylor said, on December 5th, 2006 at 11:31 am

Decades ago someone approached Bob Hope for running for President. He said there’s no way my wife would move into that small of house.

# 18 Smartalix said, on December 5th, 2006 at 11:33 am

…you can just create a new reality from nothing by talking about your vision a lot and getting your underlings to make it happen, regardless if they think it’s a stupid idea.

Sounds a hell of a lot like our current administration.

# 19 Gonster Macher said, on December 5th, 2006 at 11:35 am

Ross Parrot and Bill G. sold the same things: Fear Uncertainty Doubt (FUD) and CHURN. Would we have to re-boot the federal government every couple of years when we get the BSOD?

Think of Digital Rights Management, EULA’s and the Windows Registry before you vote!

# 20 pedro said, on December 5th, 2006 at 11:39 am

Two words: God No!!

# 21 OhForTheLoveOf said, on December 5th, 2006 at 11:40 am

#7 pro anti poverty,

I have no comment about that… I just wanted to highlight those three words

But anyway, I could seriously entertain the notion of voting for Bill Gates.

# 22 Dallas said, on December 5th, 2006 at 11:41 am

I would vote for Bill G without hesitation – even if he ran as a republican. Imagine the contrast with George W in terms of intelligence and articulation.

# 23 Mike said, on December 5th, 2006 at 12:15 pm

He’s a vocal proponent of progressive taxation, which is a big strike in my book…

# 24 The other Tom said, on December 5th, 2006 at 12:16 pm

Perhaps I should provide a little background to give my statement a little more effect. I use GNU/Linux daily and I am a big Open Source advocate. You could say I’m not a big fan of XP, and I will most definitely own Vista.

But, like Scott Adams said, today’s Gates is not the man who licensed DOS to IBM. While Gates is still “Chief Architect” at MS, I am under the impression that he wasn’t exactly heavily involved in the coding of Vista or Office. He runs one of the most successful businesses in the world today, that makes me think he woulod be able to handle the enormous responsibilities of the presidency.

Plus, he’s a huge geek. Anybody that was more into programming and (sort of) creating an operating system than doing coke and joining a fraternity (*wink*wink*) would definitely not be the first one to invade a sovereign nation under false pretenses and directly in opposition of the UN.

I’d vote for him.

# 25 JulieB said, on December 5th, 2006 at 12:24 pm

Terrible website. The guy should have done his homework. I’d love to see his face when he finds out. Bill Gates could NEVER be elected president regardless of him money, charisma, or campaign prowess. Why?

He’s atheist.

I’m stunned that the website and those who have commented have failed to see this.

# 26 Olo Baggins of Bywater said, on December 5th, 2006 at 12:30 pm

SN…I guess I meant ideas that are actually implemented…say, Iraq.

Oh, and Bill G is really big into tech education. I seem to recall that may have been blogged here several months ago. Of all the guys, Perot and Gates have the vision thing, where that bozo Steve Forbes was just after fixing his taxes

# 27 chitown said, on December 5th, 2006 at 12:43 pm

I think Gates is doing just fine with his charity work. why are people are enamored with politics? NGOs do lots of fine work. if Gates ran for President he would get sidetracked by all the BS that’s involved with running for office, and actually governing if you win.

trust me Gates and his foundation with billions and billions of endowment funds will do more to help the world then the president of anyone’s wet dream.

# 28 Rob said, on December 5th, 2006 at 1:47 pm

So, who would be Bill G’s running mate?

Hopefully not Mr. Ballmer.

# 29 Dallas said, on December 5th, 2006 at 1:51 pm

#25
Gates may not believe in ghosts but he does believe in doing what’s good for humanity. His charities attest to that. I believe the majority of Americans would support his views of doing what is right for the country, not what lines his pocket.

# 30 Jägermeister said, on December 5th, 2006 at 1:55 pm

#25

Close but no cigar… Bill Gates is an agnostic, not an atheist.

No matter what, I can’t see him as the President of the current most powerful nation on earth. He has proved himself to be the megalomaniac of the IT world… just imagine him with an army…

# 31 Angel H. Wong said, on December 5th, 2006 at 2:34 pm

Notice how NOBODY talks about Paul Allen? I wonder why? *turns off sarcasm*

To be honest I prefer someone like him or Clinton over anyone from the Bush clan.

# 32 OhForTheLoveOf said, on December 5th, 2006 at 3:00 pm

#25 – He’s atheist.

I’m stunned that the website and those who have commented have failed to see this.

Comment by JulieB — 12/5/2006 @ 12:24 pm

It’s just politics. The trick to electing an athiest is to give the extremists a reason to stay home.

I didn’t know he was an athiest, but if he is, that’s yet another good reason to vote for him… That, and he’s in favor of a progressive tax.

# 33 JulieB said, on December 5th, 2006 at 3:01 pm

#29

Wrong. He wouldn’t even take 5th place in the primaries. The American people will not vote for an atheist.

Disclosure: I’m atheist

#30
He’s atheist. I know because agnostics are cowards.

The semantics of atheist vs. agnostic has always bothered me. I don’t believe in agnostics.

For the sake of argument, do you think an “agnostic” would have a better chance than an atheist at getting elected? Sure…

Either way, I doubt he would be a war monger.

# 34 Reality said, on December 5th, 2006 at 3:46 pm

Bill Gates has a temper. I think he would press the button out of habit.

“Oh shit…I meant to right click”

# 35 SN said, on December 5th, 2006 at 3:57 pm

“The semantics of atheist vs. agnostic has always bothered me.”

It all boils down the a confusion of what the “a” prefix means. It is not a negation. It means “without.” So an atheist is not someone who denies god’s existence. It’s merely someone without a belief in god. Rocks are atheists. Babies are atheists. I’m an atheist. Anything is an atheist if it has no belief in god.

And it’s not a positive belief. It’s not an assertion of any kind. It’s a complete lack of a belief. It’s an absence of a belief. I can’t think of any other way of putting it, but it is not a denial of god’s existence. There’s a phrase for that: “Someone who denies the existence of god.” Notice how that’s spelled and pronounced completely differently than “atheist”!

# 36 Dan McDermott said, on December 5th, 2006 at 7:49 pm

He probably couldn’t do it unless he totally separated from Microsoft–sort of a blind trust or something–since they always have tons of pending litigation, at times with the federal government.

But he couldn’t be bought. He could spend all of his own money and be beholden to no one.

I would vote for him. I couldn’t care less whether he goes to church. If your pipes are leaking, you need a plumber. Who cares if he worships lobsters. Can he fix my pipes?

Bill cares about doing good works, his legacy, and the next big challenge. Plus, 1600 Penn Ave is even cooler than his house!

# 37 StoneRolling said, on December 5th, 2006 at 8:27 pm

I believe the last president we had with technical training was Jimmy Carter who graduated from the Naval Academy with a degree in Nuclear Engineering. A career politician with technical skills. Too bad he inherited a country in such a mess from the previous eight years of a Republican administration. Is Bill Gate$ a Republican or Democrat? Just because you have made a lot of money does not mean you can mount a successful campaign against the special interest groups and the political status quo. How much money did Ross Perot waste trying to establish a viable third party?

# 38 Peter Rodwell said, on December 6th, 2006 at 12:37 am

The problem is that he’d be limited to 2 terms. He’d never get to implement version 3.0 of his government, the one that really works.

# 39 SN said, on December 6th, 2006 at 5:49 am

#38. Ok, Peter wins this round for the funniest comment so far!

# 40 Dallas said, on December 6th, 2006 at 7:54 am

#39. I second that ! That was good.

# 41 The Other Tom said, on December 6th, 2006 at 12:18 pm

JulieB:

That is one of the major points why people want him to run. How did you miss that?

After the first couple Deists left office, all we’ve had are Christians (and lately christian nutbags). Some of us want a change.

# 42 bhk said, on December 6th, 2006 at 1:48 pm

As bad as Windows and other Microsoft programs can be, they are nothing compared to government ineptitude. MS Bureaucrat 1.0 can’t be as bad as what we have now.

# 43 Mr. Fusion said, on December 6th, 2006 at 11:07 pm

I don’t know if Gates would be a good President. It should be obvious he can’t be any worse then what we have now.

I would think sitting between a bunch of geeks intent on putting their plan in place would help him wade through conflicting interest groups.

Before he gets my vote, I would have to size up the competition.

# 44 ChrisMac said, on December 7th, 2006 at 3:17 pm

#25
Driving slow in the fast lane has repercussions

# 45 RBlock said, on December 16th, 2006 at 11:53 am

Hey! I’m 64 years old and have never voted. I am deeply concerned with this Country and more than that the world as a whole. I have never seen much difference between Republicans and Democrats. Most of our Senators and Representatives are Attorneys (enough said) and when the voting system gives you 2 people to vote for in a country of this size, I say that this is “no” choice and probably the largest scam ever to be perpetrated on a people.

I would like to vote before I die and Gates is the only one on the horizon that I would vote for. We all know of his qualifications but what impresses me the most is that his head would not be turned by the money and corruption of Washington. Giving away 30 billion seems to verify that fact.

Yes, Bill has been said to be a ruthless businessman and as a testament to that he runs the worlds second largest company. Isn’t that what he is supposed to do???, run his company, in a moral way, to give his employees a high standard of living and his investors some of the highest stock returns in corporate history. His negotiating skills, mental capabilities and energy is just what a President needs. I believe that what he did for Microsoft he would do for the US and then the World.

We all know that we are going “global” (I estimate that we are over 50% there) and the world is too small to support the present and past policies that our government espouses. “Time and tide wait for no man”, so lets go there surfing on the high wave instead of being dragged over the rocks. I think that Bill can do that for US.

I am a business man with a net worth in 10 figures. I did not get there by doing stupid things or thinking stupid thoughts. No, I am not in electronics, software or the market. Yeah, Bill’s head could be turned but I do not see anyone else out there that I would come close to voting for. “Gates in 08”!!!!!

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