Which Democratic presidential canidate would you want operating on your child's brain?

[krispos42]

Poll question: Which Democratic presidential canidate would you want operating on your child's brain?

I don't know about you, but I get a little tired of things like "Which presidential candidate would you like to have a beer with?", or "have a Memorial Day barbeque with?", or some other test of the candidate's marketing skills.

Let's get down to brass tacks. You child, say, a three-year-old, has a brain tumor. It can be cut out without damaging the brain, but the operation is tricky and the skills exacting. Endurance is required, because the operation takes many hours to complete. Say, 4 to 8 hours.

If the surgeon screws up, your toddler could be dead or severely brain-damaged

Assuming that instead of politics, each one had started careers in medicine. Based on what you know on how they act, think, and talk, estimated IQs, and competence in general, who do you want rummaging around your child's brain with a scalpel? I think that running the most powerful nation on Earth should require at least that much trust, don't you?

These names are Democrats in alphabetical order, based on the candidates asked about in the most recent Iowa poll.

I did two of these, one for each party because I know that pretty much everybody on the DU would pick ANY Democrat over the most qualified Republican. Here's a chance to rate the our side.

<edit: on suggestion, enhanced question>

[JohnLocke]

1. Howard Dean, MD.

[krispos42]

2. (sigh) I know, I know... but he's not running

yet!

Dean in 2016!

[JI7]

3. Biden's had a Brain aneurysm so i assume he might know most

about the brain from his own health issues. but still would not trust any of them as they don't have the professional background for such a complex thing.

if it was 2004 maybe Howard Dean.

i get your point about this post but a better question to ask would be

who would you want to raise or take care of your child or other loved one.

who would you want to teach your child in a classroom. who would you pay to give your child private tutoring.

most would not say Bush to these questions.

[krispos42]

5. Hmmm... okay, I'll re-phrase the question slightly

Thanks

[snowbear]

19. True about Biden knowing about the brain, but...

.. he can sure be a jabber jaws sometimes.

Next time we watch the 8 of them debate.. I'll have to pay attention and see which one looks like they have the steadiest hands.

[calteacherguy]

4. Is this like an, er, health care question? nt

[luckyleftyme2]

6. I Have a question

if I had a choice over any republican running; i'd take any democrat -period!!!!

[krispos42]

10. I wouldn't trust any of the Repubs to take care of my cat

And cats can go a week on their own with enough food, water, and fresh litter!

I'd probably find The Fluff accidently locked in a closet and dead of dehydration if McCain was watching here.

[Forkboy]

7. Political junkies are lost on Saturdays.

:)

[dave_p]

8. Kucinich is the guy for brain surgery

He puts people first and understands the complexity of things like brains, and I'd rely on him to finish the job rather than looking for shortcuts or dashing off to his next photo op. He wouldn't just get frustrated half-way through the procedure and bomb the patient as the next-best thing to affirm his strength and decisiveness.

[DemBones DemBones]

25. He actually worked as a surgical assistant, too.

So he'd surely have the most knowledge about surgery.

[LSK]

9. this is the kind of stupid crap Al Gore talks about in his new book

Nobody wants to discuss issues or where a candidate stands on something, they want to talk about their house or their hair or their husband.

[Joe Chi Minh]

11. The one I think would be good to drink a beer with.

[LWolf]

12. None of them. I'd want a brain surgeon,

not a politician.

:eyes:

[riona]

13. You can't argue the fact that * was

the most qualified to drink well and often.

[FrenchieCat]

14. Hahahah........Edwards is winning. I can see him now....making a "mistake"

and then saying sorry three years later.

Me, I'll take Richardson. He may not be purdy, but I think he would call in the right guy to operate.

[Clark2008]

17. Bahahahahahahaha!

:rofl:

Would he take your malpractice case against himself.

:hi:

[Colobo]

15. Obama. At least he would cheer my kid up before killing him.

[Clark2008]

16. Good Lord, NONE OF THEM.

None of them are qualified to do so, so I wouldn't want ANY of them to do it.

But, then again, that makes the beer question and Bush a good one - since about the only thing he's qualified to do is drink.

[More Than A Feeling]

18. I'd take Ron Paul over any of them, at least he actually is a doctor.

But under the question, I'd take Chris Dodd. Longer experience than any of them, and just as smart.

[NoPasaran]

20. I'd have to say "none of the above" and opt for a brain surgeon instead

Or failing that, a rocket scientist with real steady hands.

[doggyboy]

23. Yeah, I gotta go with a write-in on this one

Fuck party unity!

[Lord Helmet]

21. none of the above

[CTLawGuy]

22. none

I'd want a surgeon to do it.

[DemBones DemBones]

24. I understand the point you're trying to make but

imagining what any of them would be like as surgeons if they'd gone to med school is meaningless because none of them did go to med school and become surgeons.

And no president is ever going to be asked to perform brain surgery.


It's meaningless to ask which one you'd like to have a beer with, too.

The ability to talk to the leaders of other nations and earn their respect is more important than being able to say "How 'bout them Dawgs?" and make friends in a bar.


The real question is who do you trust to be honest and do what needs to be done?

I say Kucinich.

[DuaneBidoux]

26. Where is the choice: "Are you insane, I want a brain surgeon." (just a thought)