Mayors for president

[Anzeigenhauptmeister]

South Bend Mayor Buttigieg's ability to govern the whole country is often called into question due to the size of his city with a population of about 100,000.
What's the minimum number of inhabitants a city ought to have in order to avoid discussions about the size-related presidential qualifications of its mayor?

The least populous U.S. city that has more inhabitants than the least populous U.S. state is Milwaukee. Would Mayor Tom Barrett's presidential qualifications be queried due to the size of his city?
(Following the Wyoming Rule, the least populous congressional district, RI-01, also has only a little fewer citizens than Milwaukee.)

[AltWorlder]

Miramar, FL where Wayne Messam is mayor has 122,041 to 140,328 people.

[Progressive Pessimist]

It kind of doesn't matter anymore with Trump being President with no prior political experience. I think what it comes down to instead is what that mayor in question offers to make them and their candidacy stand out in the field. Buttigieg has succeeded at using his background and personality to his advantage. Messam meanwhile doesn't seem like he will be able to do anything similar.

[Anzeigenhauptmeister]

It kind of doesn't matter anymore with Trump being President with no prior political experience.

I wish you were right about that. The basket of deplorables, however, sets higher standards for Democrats than for their beloved Trump.

[Starry Eyed Jagaloon]

At least 800,000 people, or smaller if it's the core city of a MSA with at least 3 million people, given these sorts of governments often deal with the challenges of a much larger city.

[eric82oslo]

It doesn't matter at all. What does matter is the intellect of the candidate and his or her vision. To some degree also their previous experience.

[Progressive Pessimist]

It kind of doesn't matter anymore with Trump being President with no prior political experience.

I wish you were right about that. The basket of deplorables, however, sets higher standards for Democrats than for their beloved Trump.

That is indeed true for almost every Democrat in almost every capacity, but the prior position a candidate had should at least matter less in a Democratic primary now.

[Anzeigenhauptmeister]

It doesn't matter at all. What does matter is the intellect of the candidate and his or her vision. To some degree also their previous experience.

I totally agree with you, but that wasn't my intention when posing this question.
From what city size on does the public consider a mayor fit for the White House?

[Tekken_Guy]

Honestly only NYC, LA, and Chicago are realistic candidstes for President.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Well, if the mayor of a city of only 100k can be considered a serious candidate for President, then the mayor of a city of 400k (Carmen Yulín Cruz) can be a good running mate for Bernie.

[ibagli]

To totally avoid discussions about size? Somewhere in the top 10 or maybe 20. Below that, it would depend on the profile of the city; like I think the mayor of New Orleans would have an easier time than the mayor of Arlington, Texas even though they're next to each other in the municipal population ranking.

But I think any full-time executive mayor could engage with the issue and make a case for being qualified. A city council member with a fancy title (*cough*Messam*cough*) might have a harder time.

[Ye We Can]

It doesnt really matter.  Its not like senators or representatives have to 'govern' to be legitimate.  The only requirement, for better or worse, is to get enough votes.

[Figueira]

Fun fact: only two mayors have ever gone on to become President (and both were governors in between): Cleveland (Buffalo) and Coolidge (Northampton, MA).

[eric82oslo]

Well, if the mayor of a city of only 100k can be considered a serious candidate for President, then the mayor of a city of 400k (Carmen Yulín Cruz) can be a good running mate for Bernie.

True. Or Andrew Yang!