Question about Spock.

[Josh_Lyman]

Would Spock make a good Federation president? He is a great Starfleet Officer and a great ambassador but I'm not so sure he would be so great as President. I can't put my finger on it. It is just how I feel. Any comments, suggestions or concerns?

 

[splodenode]

that trip to romulus might hurt his chances

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

There have been past Federation Presidents who were Vulcan, haven't there been? I don't see why Spock wouldn't have done a good job at that. He was a diplomat, explorer, and - yes - even a soldier. Seems like a fine pedigree to me.

 

[Bacl]

that trip to romulus might hurt his chances

Quite.

Also, keep in mind that Starfleet officers might look upon Spock in a different way than civilians. To Starfleet he is a living legend, quite literally. But we've seen civilians often don't have a romanticism with Starfleet, and many might view him as a bit of a lose cannon (yes, Spock) from a long gone era.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Let's see, does Spock have any negative traits?

He's stubborn and willful. When he knows he's right, he isn't amenable to compromise. He can be an arrogant, sarcastic jackass (subtly, but still). Maybe those are the qualities you think would make him a poor President?

 

[Philo]

I think those qualities would be true of all Vulcans, because those are essentially the negative attributes of logic.

I'd vote for him, though. I think he'd be an excellent President.

 

[maryh]

I think Spock would make a wonderful president. The problem lies in getting him elected to the positition. His personality is not exactly universally endearing. Well informed people might see through that, but not everyone is well informed. Politics tends to rely on one's ability to fool the most people to vote for you, and Spock isn't very good at fooling anyone nor is he experienced at manipulation of any sort. Too honest, too trusting, to straightforward of a personality to win votes.

 

[Sector 7]

^ Wasn't it said by (or of) Gen. Colin Powell that honest people cannot get elected to the presidency. The same could be said of Spock. However, if he COULD get elected, his presidency would be the stuff of legend!
For some reason this quote of Spock's from Unification comes to mind, "...but only Nixon can go to China."

 

[KeepOnTrekking]

I don't think Spock would WANT to be a Federation president. He has said over and over (Galileo Seven, Enterprise Incident, Wrath of Khan) that he doesn't want to lead or command. He was happy as a science officer supporting Kirk as a first officer. He became an ambassador supporting the Federation and its president. Would he even have the support of 24th century people if they have the mentality that Picard had about Spock and his "cowboy diplomacy?" Spock would be better off as a James Bond type than a president.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I don't think Spock would WANT to be a Federation president. He has said over and over (Galileo Seven, Enterprise Incident, Wrath of Khan) that he doesn't want to lead or command.

He was the Captain of the Enterprise in ST II, but that was as a teacher, on a training mission. Still, it's *some* form of command.