Nonpartisan Questions for Presidential Candidates

The coverage of the 2016 Presidential campaign is getting me down. No matter your particular political views, the race to the bottom on all sides is exhausting, if not surprising.  With this in mind, I have started to compile a list of questions I would like to ask candidates. Doubtlessly, some of the answers would be fascinating and informative. Some questions, I believe, would produce awkward pauses and vacuous responses from a few (or more than a few) candidates. What questions would you add to the list?

• What is your definition of the American Dream?
• What percentage of your income do you donate to causes other than political campaigns?
• What are you reading? What novel has had the greatest impact on you?
• When did you and how have you reached out to someone or to some group with viewpoints different than your own?
• As president, which would you value more the responsibility to represent the people who voted for you or the people of the United States?
• When have you gone against the majority in your own party?
• Give an example of when you have chosen the hard right over the easy wrong?
• What contribution do you most want to make during your presidency and what makes you think you can accomplish it?
• Imagine you can add or delete one amendment to the constitution: what would you delete or add?
• To whom do you go for good counsel?
• What is the most important lesson you have learned about yourself in the last five years?
• Imagine you can construct your cabinet from only historical figures–who do you put in the cabinet? Who is Secretary of State? Defense Secretary? Etc.