Governor vs. Senator

[Quantum]

Governor vs. Senator

In your opinion which position is the "better" one in the sense of being more desirable or being the higher ranking position?

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_order_of_precedence I was looking for that. Apparently, governors outrank everyone except the President or Vice President while in his or her state.

 

[1001001]

It depends on which state you're Governor of.

Being Governor of Montana is not comparable to being Governor of California, for example. Being Governor of Alaska or Wyoming is about the equivalent of being the Mayor of Fresno.

Being a Senator from anywhere....you're still one of only 100, you serve at a federal level, and you get a minimum of 6 years. That's pretty powerful too.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

So long as you're in your own state, you outrank everyone else except for the president and vice president.

 

[Mallory]

Being a Senator from anywhere....you're still one of only 100, you serve at a federal level, and you get a minimum of 6 years. That's pretty powerful too.

True. And you're typically making policy for the entire nation, not just a single state.

 

[nevermore]

Different states assign different powers to the governor (i.e "weak" vs. "strong" Governors). Historically, Governors have been very weak, right up into the 60's and 70'. Today, some continue to very little power at all, and basically just act as an administrator (especially true in term-limited states which prevents the office-holder from developing long-term working relationships with the legislature); some have the power to set budgets and to profoundly influence the legislative process. Most fall in between, of course, but in states like Texas with a constitutionally weak governor, the US Senators probably have greater influence overall.

Conceptually, a strong governorship means (1) an office that allows its occupant to exert significant influence over the behavior and policies of state government, and (2) an office comparable in power and influence to the other branches of state government, so that an effective system of checks and balances exists. Whether an office meets these standards is determined primarily by its formal authority—powers attached to the office by a state constitution or legislative statute. Such powers are multiple and varied, but three—tenure, appointment, and veto—are particularly important and provide concrete illustrations of the strengths and weaknesses of the office. link

 

[Snaploud]

I would prefer to be a Senator. It has better job security, and you don't automatically get blamed for everything during a tough economy.

 

[Maestro]

The Governor is the Chief Executive of his/her state, where as a Senator is one of fifty charged with making laws for the entire nation.

In terms of political power, a Senator's power is going to be more centered in Washington, whereas his accountability is more centered throughout his state.

A Governor's political power and accountability will be completely state centered.

Both Senators and Governors are entitled to the same military honors -- 4 Ruffles and Flourishes followed by the Trio to Stars and Stripes.

When it comes to advancement, a Governor is traditionally "higher ranking" when it comes to making a run at the Presidency. Prior to President Obama, President Kennedy was the last sitting Senator to be elected President, and also the last President elected with no Executive experience (Such as being VP or Governor). Kennedy, Ike, and, IIRC, Taft were the only 20th Century Presidents elected with no Executive experience, and although one could argue that Ike had sufficient leadership experience from being a 5-Star General, he still lacked the executive experience of having to manage the politics of a bicameral house.

 

[auntiehill]

I'd go with Senator. Governors don't have all that much influence, whereas Senators can (potentially) have some influence on the entire country. Also, Senators have a longer term and, I think, have great prestige. But I also think that the size and wealth of the home state is a relevant factor, as well.

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

Senator. Governors are like being a manger. Like of work, lot of scrutiny. Senators get to travel around more. They can be more anonymous. Plus Washington D.C attracts more babes looking for powerful men. If your the governor of South Dakota your mistress probably isn't going to be that hot.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

With a governor, no one has more individual influence on their state (generally). A US Senator, however, probably has a greater influence total because he has his vote in the federal government and he has a lot of prestige back home.

I think which is better depends on the state you live in and your long-term ambitions.

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

As far as political ambitions Senate was once the way to go, but now it seems to have favored governors more.

Obama-Senator
Bush-Governor
Clinton-Governor
Bush-Representative
Reagan-Governor
Carter-Governor
Ford-Representative
Nixon-Representative/Senator
LBJ-Representative/Senator
JFK-Representative/Senator
Eisenhower-None
Truman- Senator
FDR-Governor

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Nixon, Ford, LBJ, and Bush all used their Vice Presidential experience, not their Congressional experience to get elected.

For people who went directly from Senator to President, you have:

Harding, (Truman), JFK, Obama

Truman gets his own category because he went immediately from Senator to VP to President in such a short period of time because of FDR's death.

Throughout history, it's better to be Governor. But most Governors of small states aren't going to make it, so you can move from Senator to VP to President and maybe have a better shot.

 

[Kirby]

I've had the privledge to associate with two Colorado Governors, and a small handful of senators and congress people (both at the state and federal level). The Governors came across as likable and down-to-earth. Bill Owens was downright cool and funny. Every one of the legislative people have been know-it-all jackasses.
I'd be Governor any day over a senator.

 

[Mr. B]

I would imagine a senator has an easier life than a governor but not quite as powerful as a governor.

 

[Bloodwhiner]

A senator can be a life job if your aren't caught screwing a page. You set policy that will affect your state while not being held truly accountable. You get great perks too.

A Governor gets blamed for everything same as the President.

 

[BenRoethig]

So long as you're in your own state, you outrank everyone else except for the president and vice president.

The Federal government has no authority inside a state. In fact, int he case of a natural disaster, the state has to invite the federal government in.

 

[John Picard]

The Governor is the Chief Executive of his/her state, where as a Senator is one of fifty charged with making laws for the entire nation.

Errmmm. One of 100

Nixon, Ford, LBJ, and Bush all used their Vice Presidential experience, not their Congressional experience to get elected.

For people who went directly from Senator to President, you have:

Harding, (Truman), JFK, Obama

Truman gets his own category because he went immediately from Senator to VP to President in such a short period of time because of FDR's death.

Throughout history, it's better to be Governor. But most Governors of small states aren't going to make it, so you can move from Senator to VP to President and maybe have a better shot.

Ehhhhh, Ford was only VeeP from 1973-1974. Not a lot of experience to tout there.

 

[Snaploud]

The Governor is the Chief Executive of his/her state, where as a Senator is one of fifty charged with making laws for the entire nation.

Errmmm. One of 100

Nixon, Ford, LBJ, and Bush all used their Vice Presidential experience, not their Congressional experience to get elected.

For people who went directly from Senator to President, you have:

Harding, (Truman), JFK, Obama

Truman gets his own category because he went immediately from Senator to VP to President in such a short period of time because of FDR's death.

Throughout history, it's better to be Governor. But most Governors of small states aren't going to make it, so you can move from Senator to VP to President and maybe have a better shot.

Ehhhhh, Ford was only VeeP from 1973-1974. Not a lot of experience to tout there.

I think the more important point is that he never got elected.

 

[Maestro]

Nixon, Ford, LBJ, and Bush all used their Vice Presidential experience, not their Congressional experience to get elected.

Ford was never elected. He was appointed VP midterm by Nixon and confirmed by the Congress. He ascended under the 25th when Nixon resigned and was then beaten by Jimmy Carter in '76.

For people who went directly from Senator to President, you have:

Harding, (Truman), JFK, Obama

Harding at least served as Lt. Governor of Ohio before becoming a Senator, so he brought some, albeit limited, executive experience to the White House.

Truman gets his own category because he went immediately from Senator to VP to President in such a short period of time because of FDR's death.

Then Ford gets his own category too. Besides, when it came time for Truman's reelection, he had almost four years of executive experience.

Throughout history, it's better to be Governor. But most Governors of small states aren't going to make it, so you can move from Senator to VP to President and maybe have a better shot.

This is true for the 20th Century. It isn't as consistent in the 19th.

The Governor is the Chief Executive of his/her state, where as a Senator is one of fifty charged with making laws for the entire nation.

Errmmm. One of 100

OK, sometimes I'm an idiot