If you could ask a presidential candidate one question...

[Jaffa]

Hey DTF.

I'm trying to gather some ideas for a story I am writing, and I was hoping some of you lovely people would be willing to offer some input.  The question is this: if there was a presidential candidate you knew nothing about, and you had an opportunity to ask him any one question, what would you want to ask?  For context, this theoretical candidate is a virtual unknown with no background in politics.  So far, all you really know about him is that he is frustrated with the political system and is running for office out of a desperation to see change.  Your early impression of him is that he seems honest and trustworthy, and he has sort of caught your attention, but you don't know anything about him or his platform.  Now he is hosting a public Q&A is which he will invite every audience member to write down a question anonymously, and he claims he will answer every question he gets. 

What would you want to ask?  What would be the first or most important thing you would want to know about him?

(I realize there's a chance this thread might veer off into P&R territory, but bosk was kind enough to give me permission to post it here so that more people would see it.  If any mods are uncomfortable with it, please feel free to move it.  In the meantime, I hope everyone can play nice.) 

[Chino]

1) 97% of scientists are convinced beyond reasonable doubt that humans are a significant contributor to the rapid increase we are seeing in greenhouse gases, specifically carbon and methane. From both a health and a climate change standpoint, how do you plan to tackle this issue, if at all, without huge amounts of government waste?

2) If you were not running for president, could you vote for a candidate who does not practice their religion or admits to being an atheist?

3) I am cautious about starting my own business because my current medical plan through my employer can't be beat. What are your views on single payer healthcare in this country? 

4) What is your position on the legalization of cannabis on a federal level?

5) Money has corrupted our government on virtually every level. Should we switch to government-funded campaigns with harsh penalties for those that accept campaign contributions from outside sources?

6) Many people argue that NASA is a unnecessary burden and a waste of taxpayer money. With the TARP bailout for the banks, the US taxpayers were on the hook for $700,000,000,000. That's more money than NASA has received since it was founded in 1958. What are your plans for the future of NASA and our space program?

[Sir GuitarCozmo]

Tell me something positive that your opponent has done for this country.  Give me the pros of your opponent's political vision for their presidency.

[orcus116]

Chino, that NASA one is spot on. I'm willing to bet the average person wouldn't even come close to guessing the correct percent of the budget it really takes up.

[cramx3]

What is your biggest weakness?

[Stadler]

Where do you see yourself in five years?

[Anguyen92]

Where do you see yourself in five years?

They would most likely would say still being the president.

Anywho, my question would be "What would you do to ensure that this country, the entire population of the country, can be cooperative with each other in order to solve the main issues this country has, as one country?"

[TioJorge]

Sah brah, so like, how hard do you expect to get rekt?

[lonestar]

What does the term "fundamental human right" mean to you, and in your presidency, what would you ensure become covered, or would remain covered, under said umbrella?

[Adami]

Tell me something positive that your opponent has done for this country.  Give me the pros of your opponent's political vision for their presidency.

I like this.

[Prog Snob]

Hillary, if you win the presidency, will you refer to Bill as the First Lady?

[lonestar]

Hillary, if you win the presidency, will you refer to Bill as the First Lady?

Also, do you think you have a "intern freebie" coming to you upon entering office?

[Prog Snob]

Hillary, if you win the presidency, will you refer to Bill as the First Lady?

Also, do you think you have a "intern freebie" coming to you upon entering office?

And will it be a man or a woman?

[cramx3]

Tell me something positive that your opponent has done for this country.  Give me the pros of your opponent's political vision for their presidency.

I like this.

I like this too, I'd want to hear a politician either talk negatively about themselves or positively about their rival.

[Stadler]

Where do you see yourself in five years?

They would most likely would say still being the president.

Anywho, my question would be "What would you do to ensure that this country, the entire population of the country, can be cooperative with each other in order to solve the main issues this country has, as one country?"

Uh, it was a joke.  The post before me was a quintessential, clichéd interview question, so I followed up with another just like it.   If I got one question to a presidential candidate, "where do you see yourself in five years" wouldn't even be a nervous shout out. 

[antigoon]

is a hot dog a sandwich?

[Evermind]

is a hot dog a sandwich?

That reminded me:

"Okay", Kincaid said. "Anyone have any questions?"

"Why do they sell hot dogs in packages of ten but hot dog buns in packages of eight?" I said.

Everyone glared at me.

From Jim Butcher's Blood Rites.

[adace]

6) Many people argue that NASA is a unnecessary burden and a waste of taxpayer money. With the TARP bailout for the banks, the US taxpayers were on the hook for $700,000,000,000. That's more money than NASA has received since it was founded in 1958. What are your plans for the future of NASA and our space program?

This.

[Adami]

is a hot dog a sandwich?

That reminded me:

"Okay", Kincaid said. "Anyone have any questions?"

"Why do they sell hot dogs in packages of ten but hot dog buns in packages of eight?" I said.

Everyone glared at me.

From Jim Butcher's Blood Rites.

I still prefer the Steve Martin version from Father of the Bride, where he actually starts removing buns to make the numbers even before getting arrested for it.

[Chino]

"Mr. Trump. Why did you not answer the most upvoted questions in the AMA you spent a week promoting?"

[gmillerdrake]

I still prefer the Steve Martin version from Father of the Bride, where he actually starts removing buns to make the numbers even before getting arrested for it.

Such a great scene......and Movie!!

[Zook]

Who is your daddy, and what does he do?

[MirrorMask]

Well, since this is the premise...

For context, this theoretical candidate is a virtual unknown with no background in politics.  So far, all you really know about him is that he is frustrated with the political system and is running for office out of a desperation to see change. 

...my question would be:

How do you plan to stay indipendent of the inevitable "forces from within" that will try to make you conform to the status quo, claiming favors for putting you there or obstracting you with their lobby power?

[antigoon]

do you pray for #justiceforharambe every night before you go to bed?