Presidential Debates: Why There Should be a Candidate Screening Process

After watching several Presidential campaigns and endless debates, I have noticed a very disturbing fact. We do not properly screen or interview for the Office of the President of the United States.

Let's compare some other professions and the process to apply and interview. Have you ever tried to apply for the FBI or CIA? I applied for a position with the FBI about eight years ago and I was absolutely amazed at the amount of interviews and background checks that I undertook. The process for me lasted about eight months and then was denied. Now, when I interviewed with the FBI, I did not get to choose the individual that performed the interview. I did not get a list of the questions that were going to be asked before hand for my review. I did not set the time and place for the interview. I was applying for a entry level position and they went through my whole life and put me through four interviews. Compare that to a Presidential candidate that will have far greater power and responsibility than an FBI employee. Presidential candidates are now choosing which debates to attend and who will be asking the questions. They are demanding questions ahead of time before their interviews with the media. There are not very many disqualifying factors for a Presidential candidate concerning their backgrounds.

Now think about it like this...You are going to hire someone to protect you, set rules for you, take money from you, and guide your future. What type of interview process and background check would you put them through? When it comes to the private marketplace, the higher the position, the harder the application process. This is true until someone switches into politics. We all complain about politicians and the decisions they make, but it is our fault that they are there and that we did not properly screen them prior to voting.

Here is the way I would set up a Presidential debate and screening.

For starters, anyone that would not pass a FBI background check would be immediately disqualified from the Presidential office. Secondly, a candidate would have to produce a detailed resume for the public to read. The resume should include every school, organization, and job ever held by the candidate.
Finally, the debate process for the two party candidates would be drastically changed. There would be four debates scheduled for each of the two candidates. The four debates would be one candidate debating a figure chosen by the opposing party. Each debate would be a two hour session with no commercial interruptions.

For example:
Sen. Fred Thompson would debate Chris Matthews for a two hour session
Sen. Hillary Clinton would debate Rush Limbaugh for a two hour session

Each party would select four people representing their ideology to debate the opposing candidate in each debate. The debate format would be mandatory and the opponent of the candidate would ask the questions and set the topics for discussion. The reason for this is very simple. If we are going to elect someone to lead our country, then they should be interviewed and debated by the best. If the Presidential candidates cannot face the opposing parties brightest minds, then how can we trust them to face Osama Bin Laden and other enemies of the US? We need to tighten the election process and ensure that only the best of our country be considered.