Why Do We Keep Producing Unqualified Candidates in the US?

Speaking as a Brit, it does seem crazy that the candidates now contesting the election have been chosen from all the other possibles. On the Democrat side Hillary has always been known to be deeply unpopular, and the subject of serious allegations (albeit most of them unproven or greatly exaggerated). On the Republican side, we have a man whom even most senior Republicans are now denouncing, albeit too late.

Could they have chosen better? I have seen many many interviews with Americans at the tops of their professions - journalists, scientists, businessmen, philosophers, historians and indeed politicians - and so often I have been impressed with their integrity, objectivity and intellect. Often I feel opinions expressed by American experts are more analytical and reliable than those of our home-grown British experts.

So there is no shortage of talent in America and I think I'd agree about Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice on the Republican side. And following her recent speech on the Democrat side, I think the current First Lady might be a better candidate than the previous First Lady! :)

But returning to the candidates today - and I would say particularly regarding Mr Trump - the lack of understanding from supporters about the differences between allegations and proof, theory and fact, and the failure to place moral fibre and other personal qualities above traditional party allegiances, means that candidates can say and do pretty much what they like, and still maintain their core support.

Thankfully I guess moderates and free thinkers in the swing states will still determine the result over the extremists, though that doesn't change the inadequacy of the choice available.

I think we were not paying attention to the future leadership of our country. We are now in a place where our decisions are going to affect us for years to come. God help us all.

It seems both parties are corrupt and controlled by those with ulterior motives, so it probably will make little difference who the ultimate winner is. However, all either party needed to do to ensure success was to find an appealing candidate. They both bombed that.

I fear that our government has gone beyond corrupt and the media bias has contributed to the truth not being told. Just look at what Hillary Clinton did while Secretary of State. 4 Americans die even after months of pleading for help, the lie was spread that it was because of a video, and for 13 hours no help was sent to help those fighting for their very lives. She used a private server and did not turn over all her emails, instead they were deleted, she tried to tell us that there was nothing classified being sent or received, that also was a lie. Folks this is about our national security. The IRS, the Justice Department and the FBI are now political machines. And now this woman wants to be President of the United States. I can't believe the amount of people that cover for her and support her. I even fear the elections are now rigged with more and more illegals voting. What a mess! Franklin Graham is right, only God can save us now.

My, my, my, you are outspoken! :) I am in the middle of grading 350 exams (and I am not exaggerating - well, a little bit) and I needed a break. We have indeed sunk to some sorry depths in the last decade or so in terms of candidates. I think its a mix of many things, so I was stumped by your poll, because I kept looking for [] all of the above. :)

This election was the Republican's for the asking. All they had to do was stop the infighting and nominate a viable candidate....and somehow they failed to do that.