Should The Rock Run For President?

Politics is a brutal game. Von Drehle, the Deputy opinion editor and columnist for the Washington Post, recently wrote an opinion piece entitled, “Who can beat The Donald? The Rock.” Drehle writes, “For four years, I have been saying to anyone who will listen — not many people, I must admit — that America has a sure and happy pathway out of the doom loop of Biden vs. Trump, Trump vs. Biden, seemingly for the rest of eternity. This political hellscape worthy of Sartre’s “No Exit,” this zombie apocalypse, this death of imagination and hope. Johnson is that pathway. A man bigger than the Super Bowl is exactly what we need to break the cycle of despair. Johnson for President!”The business world and Hollywood aren’t the political world. In the world of politics, there are teams of opposition research firms working year-round to collect data on candidates. They interview friends, colleagues, and acquaintances, trying to dig up dirt. They comb through personal data, financial reports, media interviews, and your social media, compiling pages of information and potential hits. There is also a mountain of issues that you will have to learn and establish a position for - knowing that no matter what you say, there will be groups who are opposed. There are no shortcuts. The media will love the circus but tear you down - they will test your knowledge and scrutinize your every move. Arnold transitioned from Hollywood to politician, but he left the governor’s office far less popular than when he had entered. He needed to reinvent himself.  Ronald Reagan made the transition, but he was Governor of California first. Having worked in politics for over 60 years (combined years), at least for this election cycle, don’t give up your day job.