Hacker news is one of the few places I find intelligent thoughtful discussion. Occasionally people are jerks, but compared to the internet in general, this place is a calm like on a mountain top.
Being previously in showbiz isn't the issue; having no government experience when running for President is.
Reagan was two-term governor of California before running for President.
> Same is definitely true on the "other" side.
Er...what? The Democrats haven't nominated a Presidential candidate with a Reagan-like showbiz background.
> I honestly would prefer to see some salt-of-the-earth person not involved in politics elected to office ala Ricky Muir in Australia (where I'm from).
I'd prefer an inexperienced government head about as much as an inexperienced brain surgeon.
> I don't necessarily think lack of political experience is a bad thing for a politician to have.
A lack of government experience may be fine in someone running for city council, or the lower house of their state legislature. President of the United States isn't really an entry level job, though.
> Many of the positions which hold the requisite political knowledge and support elected officials are hired, not elected.
Sure, there's several rings out from the President, both in and through the cabinet and in the executive office of the president, that also aren't ideal entry-level jobs.
But your not going to be able to evaluate what you get from those people effectively without substantial grounding in government as President.
I honestly would prefer to see some salt-of-the-earth person not involved in politics elected to office ala Ricky Muir in Australia (where I'm from).
I don't necessarily think lack of political experience is a bad thing for a politician to have. Many of the positions which hold the requisite political knowledge and support elected officials are hired, not elected.