To say that the first presidential debate was fascinating would be to give fascinating a bad name.
It was that, along with combative, engaging, interesting, and at times surreal. That said, it also
did its job; the debate definitely gave us a better glimpse into the psyches, demeanors, beliefs,
abilities, and policies of the two candidates, and that really is what you want from a debate.
That it was entertaining too was the icing on the cake.
And we are not done. We can and should look at the candidates through a variety of personal
lenses: the parent lens, the taxpayer lens, the patriot lens, the good citizen lens, and all the rest.
Today, here, we are going to look at the candidates through the entrepreneur’s lens. I have
spoken with and heard from many entrepreneurs and small business owners over the course of
this long, l o n g, l o n g campaign and we have a few questions for the candidates. We want to
know what they think about what we do, what they are going to do for us and the economy, and
how they might view the world from our perspective:
Secretary Clinton, you negotiated a nuclear deal with the Iranians and as part of that put
together an international coalition. What did you learn about negotiating?
Background: Negotiating is part and parcel of the entrepreneur’s life. That the Iranian nuclear
deal that Mrs. Clinton’s coalition negotiated is controversial is an understatement. Yes, it
delayed the Iranian’s nuclear ambitions, but at what cost and for how long?
A president negotiates on our behalf constantly. We want someone who understands how to do
that well. What does Mrs. Clinton bring to the table?
Mr. Trump, USA TODAY reported that you have a long history of stiffing small business
vendors with whom you have done business. Is that a policy of the Trump organization? What
is your negotiating strategy and how might that apply to the White House?
Background: Look, there are definitely times in the life of any entrepreneur where you have to
play hardball. If you don’t, not only will you get brushed back, but eventually you will get
beaned with the ball. You have to stand up for yourself.
That said, there is a difference between standing up for oneself and making it a strategy to not
pay small businesses, knowing they don’t have the same resources to litigate a claim as large
businesses do. Doing that is repugnant.
Are Mr. Trump’s hardball tactics a sign that he can in fact negotiate better trade deals as he
alleges, or are they an indication that he employees a zero-sum strategy that would not fly in
the world of realpolitik?
Mrs. Clinton: Given that you have spent your entire career in the public sector, do you really
know anything about entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, and how to create “better jobs”?
Background: Secretary Clinton has jumped on the Bernie Sanders/Donald Trump bandwagon
that the middle class has largely been left out of this economic recovery. Is it a real conversion?
We might be biased here, but the every-four-year-political-pabulum that small business are “the
backbone of the economy” is true. Entrepreneurs, especially in this digital, global economy, are
the difference makers. Does Mrs. Clinton get that? Does Mr. Trump?
Mr. Trump, do you actually have the ability to dig in and focus?
Background: It is not an exaggeration to say that Mr. Trump seems to have a very short
attention span. This has not only been borne out in the first debate and his speeches, but is
mentioned by those who know the man.
Whether it is the presidency or a business, focus and attention are required. Temperent is
required. Mr. Trump certainly has created some amazing structures and a significant business,
but does that translate to the White House?
Both candidates: How do you view the bankruptcy laws in this country? Do they need to be
changed?
Background: One of the things that makes the United States such an economic powerhouse and
home for innovative entrepreneurship are its bankruptcy laws. In this country, as opposed to
many other places on the planet, a person can take a risk with money and, if it doesn’t work out,
live to tell the tale and rebound. This ability to file bankruptcy without a lot of social or financial
stigma fosters entrepreneurship here as nowhere else.
In 2001, Congress voted to “reform” the bankruptcy laws in this country. Mrs. Clinton voted in
favor of those reforms, indicating very strong ties to Wall Street. By the same token, Mr. Trump
has taken advantage of the bankruptcy rules at least four times. Has he abused the system?
Both candidates: What is your passion?
Background: Entrepreneurship is about passion. Is Mrs. Clinton’s passion about getting power,
or serving the country? Is Mr. Trump’s passion his narcissism, or creating something great?
Inquiring entrepreneurs deserve to know.