Scott Walker's college problem

[Mister Mets]

Imagine if Obama or Hillary dropped out of college. Likely, none of us would even know who they were in the first place.

A white Republican man like Scott Walker can "get away" with that, because reasons. Even Sarah Palin (eventually) finished her Bachelor's.

It's extraordinary for someone to serve in statewide office without graduating college.

It doesn't really come down to race or gender. I think Walker is the only Governor or Senator without a college degree.

Part of that is that his rationale for not having a degree is largely acceptable.

There is another plausible candidate for public office who doesn't have a degree: Bill Gates. It's not about them being white guys, but what they did instead.

[SPC]

Can we add Rand Paul to the list of those who are going to have a "college problem"?

http://www.salon.com/2015/02/13/rand_paul_caught_lying_about_his_college_record/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

3 years and out seems to make a good presidential candidate. Maybe I should make this my last semester.

Obviously the graduate degree helps his case some, but I don't remember this coming up in 2010 as the article mentions. So long as nothing comes up like he presented himself as have a Bachelor's to get into Duke, he will be fine

Is this seriously a controversy that Paul failed to get a bachelor's degree on account of getting into a reputable medical school without one? Criticizing Paul on this account is even more ridiculous than criticizing Walker.

[SPC]

Imagine if Obama or Hillary dropped out of college. Likely, none of us would even know who they were in the first place.

A white Republican man like Scott Walker can "get away" with that, because reasons. Even Sarah Palin (eventually) finished her Bachelor's.

Why do we not know Obama's GPA when Walker's 2.59 is common knowledge?

This is nonsense. Walker didn't graduate so it helps to know part of the reason why. You also tend to hear about it when it is lower like the case of Perry.

Is this not a bit tautological? How do we know that other candidates do not have lower GPAs as well if they are not reported?

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If Walker and Paul are fair game for dropping out to join successful professions, then surely Obama's undergraduate record would be fair game as well regardless of his postgraduate career?

[DrScholl]

I do think that if voters know about it, it would be an issue some. And the fact he has had no real private sector career might also really standout. I think Presidents do need something on their resume besides multiple elected offices, they should be well rounded. You should have a profession and Scott Walker does not have one. I don't see him being attacked for it, but I do think it will be noticeable.

[Lincoln Republican]

In the real world

Two prospective employees are applying for the same position.  One has a university degree, the other does not.

Both of these candidates have the experience and ability to do the job, and the prospective employer considers both candidates equally acceptable for the position.

Who do they hire? 

More likely than not, the one with the college degree.

The same could be said, to some extent, for voters (prospective employers) who are electing or "hiring" a President (prospective employee). 

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

In the real world

Two prospective employees are applying for the same position.  One has a university degree, the other does not.

Both of these candidates have the experience and ability to do the job, and the prospective employer considers both candidates equally acceptable for the position.

Who do they hire?  

More likely than not, the one with the college degree.

The same could be said, to some extent, for voters (prospective employers) who are electing or "hiring" a President (prospective employee).  

The difference is that at the private employer, most do have a college degree. In the analogy of America, 67% do not have a Bachelor's. Can't find the data for the voting age population, but I wouldn't be surprised if it is a near majority. In a democracy, people like people they can relate to. That's how Bush happened.

EDIT: Found it from 2012 results. 53% of voters do not have a Bachelor's or higher.

[bobloblaw]

In the real world

Two prospective employees are applying for the same position.  One has a university degree, the other does not.

Both of these candidates have the experience and ability to do the job, and the prospective employer considers both candidates equally acceptable for the position.

Who do they hire? 

More likely than not, the one with the college degree.

The same could be said, to some extent, for voters (prospective employers) who are electing or "hiring" a President (prospective employee). 

Depends how old they are and how much experience they have. If they are under 30, Id agree with you. Over 30, no one cares about college or where you went.

[angus]

people like people they can relate to. That's how Bush happened.

yes, many people can relate to fabulously wealthy men who are sons of presidents, grandsons of powerful senators, and who attended private boarding schools in New England and then became graduates of Yale and of Harvard business school, and influential enough to avoid crawling through the jungle in Viet Nam by becoming officers in the reserve, and then upon failing to report for reserve duty are well enough connected to avoid getting into any real trouble.

[they don't love you like i love you]

Good example of an "issue" no one will care about except people who were never going to vote for him anyway, similar to all those dumbass attacks on Obama in 2008.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I believe many voters expect more of those who would attempt to lead the nation than they may expect of Mr. and Mrs. Citizen.

Most Presidents have gone on to further education.

Most recent

Jeb Bush Graduate University of Texas Austin
Hillary Clinton Juris Doctor Yale

And when did it happen?

[dmmidmi]

Let's put the shoe on the other foot--if a Democrat who didn't have a four-year degree was running for the Presidential nomination, I'd have serious misgivings about casting my vote for them.

I have a master's degree. Considering that universities have been generous in awarding four-year degrees for several decades now, I expect my President to have obtained at least the same educational level as the Front Office Manager at the Candlewood Suites a few miles from my office.

But, I guess asking the person in charge of hitting the Doomsday Button to have a four-year degree in communications or whatever bullsh!t degree most athletes get is "elitist."

The fact that it takes very little effort to get a "bullsh!t degree in communications" kind of proves the point that there's no need to consider a college degree as a prerequisite.

The academic rigor for someone seeking the Presidency should be higher than said degree.

If someone who is running for President does not have a diploma beyond the one they received from high school because they either can't, or won't, finish their degree, they have not earned my vote.

People seeking far less prestigious positions are required to have obtained a four-year degree. I fail to see how demanding the same of our President is elitist.

[pbrower2a]

Dropping out because the family business needed attention? Dropping out of college to save the family farm or store would be noble. Dropping out to start a business that succeeds? One shows that a degree isn't that necessary. Dropping out and returning? Colleges often suggest that. Dropping out to serve in the Armed Services in wartime? We don't see that very often today.  Dropping out because one can't afford to continue? That could be more commonplace -- among Presidential candidates born around 1980 or later -- and excusable.

Dropped out due to bad grades? That could be a question of qualifications. Expelled for ethical misconduct such as cheating on exams or trying to rig a student election? Moral turpitude.

Character may not matter in a safe seat, but nationwide it matters greatly. Character flaws are enough to solidify the partisan opposition and enough to give many independent voters cold feet about voting for one.

     

[bobloblaw]

Dropping out because the family business needed attention? Dropping out of college to save the family farm or store would be noble. Dropping out to start a business that succeeds? One shows that a degree isn't that necessary. Dropping out and returning? Colleges often suggest that. Dropping out to serve in the Armed Services in wartime? We don't see that very often today.  Dropping out because one can't afford to continue? That could be more commonplace -- among Presidential candidates born around 1980 or later -- and excusable.

Dropped out due to bad grades? That could be a question of qualifications. Expelled for ethical misconduct such as cheating on exams or trying to rig a student election? Moral turpitude.

Character may not matter in a safe seat, but nationwide it matters greatly. Character flaws are enough to solidify the partisan opposition and enough to give many independent voters cold feet about voting for one.

     

Character certainly didnt matter in 1992. In fact I recall the slogan "Character Doesnt Matter"

[pbrower2a]

Dropping out because the family business needed attention? Dropping out of college to save the family farm or store would be noble. Dropping out to start a business that succeeds? One shows that a degree isn't that necessary. Dropping out and returning? Colleges often suggest that. Dropping out to serve in the Armed Services in wartime? We don't see that very often today.  Dropping out because one can't afford to continue? That could be more commonplace -- among Presidential candidates born around 1980 or later -- and excusable.

Dropped out due to bad grades? That could be a question of qualifications. Expelled for ethical misconduct such as cheating on exams or trying to rig a student election? Moral turpitude.

Character may not matter in a safe seat, but nationwide it matters greatly. Character flaws are enough to solidify the partisan opposition and enough to give many independent voters cold feet about voting for one.

     

Character certainly didn't matter in 1992. In fact I recall the slogan "Character Doesnt Matter"

This isn't 1992. Besides, the issue with Bill Clinton was with sex, and not with integrity of elections in which he participated.

Walker lies. He cheats. He gives out-of-state interests the opportunity to  bleed Wisconsin.

[bobloblaw]

Dropping out because the family business needed attention? Dropping out of college to save the family farm or store would be noble. Dropping out to start a business that succeeds? One shows that a degree isn't that necessary. Dropping out and returning? Colleges often suggest that. Dropping out to serve in the Armed Services in wartime? We don't see that very often today.  Dropping out because one can't afford to continue? That could be more commonplace -- among Presidential candidates born around 1980 or later -- and excusable.

Dropped out due to bad grades? That could be a question of qualifications. Expelled for ethical misconduct such as cheating on exams or trying to rig a student election? Moral turpitude.

Character may not matter in a safe seat, but nationwide it matters greatly. Character flaws are enough to solidify the partisan opposition and enough to give many independent voters cold feet about voting for one.

     

Character certainly didn't matter in 1992. In fact I recall the slogan "Character Doesnt Matter"

This isn't 1992. Besides, the issue with Bill Clinton was with sex, and not with integrity of elections in which he participated.

Walker lies. He cheats. He gives out-of-state interests the opportunity to  bleed Wisconsin.

No Walker doesnt lie and cheat. He defeats Democrats. Are you suggesting that Walker really didnt win three straight elections versus the Democrats? That Mary Burke really won?

[OldDominion]

Let's put the shoe on the other foot--if a Democrat who didn't have a four-year degree was running for the Presidential nomination, I'd have serious misgivings about casting my vote for them.

I have a master's degree. Considering that universities have been generous in awarding four-year degrees for several decades now, I expect my President to have obtained at least the same educational level as the Front Office Manager at the Candlewood Suites a few miles from my office.

But, I guess asking the person in charge of hitting the Doomsday Button to have a four-year degree in communications or whatever bullsh!t degree most athletes get is "elitist."

The fact that it takes very little effort to get a "bullsh!t degree in communications" kind of proves the point that there's no need to consider a college degree as a prerequisite.

The academic rigor for someone seeking the Presidency should be higher than said degree.

If someone who is running for President does not have a diploma beyond the one they received from high school because they either can't, or won't, finish their degree, they have not earned my vote.

People seeking far less prestigious positions are required to have obtained a four-year degree. I fail to see how demanding the same of our President is elitist.

QFT

[Libertarian Socialist Dem]

I loathe Scott Walker but it shouldn't be an issue. People not having a college degree doesn't make them stupid, it just means that maybe they didn't have the economic means to get one and Democrats attacking him on this could definitely hurt them. Unfortunately I'm sure that somebody will make hay of it, get caught on tape and it'll backfire, basically be Democrats own version of the 47% tape.

[bobloblaw]

I loathe Scott Walker but it shouldn't be an issue. People not having a college degree doesn't make them stupid, it just means that maybe they didn't have the economic means to get one and Democrats attacking him on this could definitely hurt them. Unfortunately I'm sure that somebody will make hay of it, get caught on tape and it'll backfire, basically be Democrats own version of the 47% tape.

Yup. Dems wonder why they cant win the white working class at the same time they bash someone for not having a college degree

[The_Doctor]

Nobody will care. Walker was in his final year or something. 34 credits from graduating, had spent 3 - 4 years at college, been actively there. More to the point, also, 2/3 of the country doesn't have a college degree. Make it an issue, and you are implicitly telling 60% of the voters that they themselves would not be qualified to hold the Presidency.

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Walker has probably the equivalent of more than an AA at this point in terms of hours racked up.

It's a non issue. Some people will resent him but the electorate at large isn't educated enough to hold this against him.

[Representative Joe Mad]

Of all the things I don't like about Walker, this is not one of those things. 

[bobloblaw]

Given that Bill Gates (Founder of Microsoft), Steve Jobs (Founder of Apple) and Mark Zuckerberg (Founder of Facebook) never graduated from college, 99.9999% of the people online typing that Scott Walker never graduated are typing those messages on platforms created by people WHO NEVER GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE!

[DrScholl]

Scott Walker didn't build a company or have a real profession like Gates or Jobs. I have serious reservations about any politician who doesn't have an actual profession.

[bobloblaw]

Scott Walker didn't build a company or have a real profession like Gates or Jobs. I have serious reservations about any politician who doesn't have an actual profession.

Obama? Hillary?

[they don't love you like i love you]

Scott Walker didn't build a company or have a real profession like Gates or Jobs. I have serious reservations about any politician who doesn't have an actual profession.

What? He pursued a marketing degree while working part time at IBM in a sales position. IBM later offered him a full time marketing job. He then dropped out of college because this was the job he wanted when he graduated college anyway. He then went on to fundraising for the Red Cross on the basis of this experience.

Walker is pretty awful and a bad candidate too, but this "issue" is a complete non-starter.

[DrScholl]

Scott Walker didn't build a company or have a real profession like Gates or Jobs. I have serious reservations about any politician who doesn't have an actual profession.

he worked for IBM and the Red Cross for a few years.

I was talking about in the context comparing him to Gates and Jobs. He's nowhere near being like them.

Scott Walker didn't build a company or have a real profession like Gates or Jobs. I have serious reservations about any politician who doesn't have an actual profession.

Obama? Hillary?

Obama and Hillary worked at law firms, and Hillary has been on faculty.

Scott Walker didn't build a company or have a real profession like Gates or Jobs. I have serious reservations about any politician who doesn't have an actual profession.

What? He pursued a marketing degree while working part time at IBM in a sales position. IBM later offered him a full time marketing job. He then dropped out of college because this was the job he wanted when he graduated college anyway. He then went on to fundraising for the Red Cross on the basis of this experience.

Walker is pretty awful and a bad candidate too, but this "issue" is a complete non-starter.

He doesn't have an actually profession like other candidates, that's all I'm pointing out. His private sector experience is far less than his service in public office.