Book 6 Hint:New Minister for Magic?

[karenoc1]

No: HPFGUIDX 74871

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com,  Jim F.  wrote: 
<heaviliy snipped> I believe that for Arthur to become MoM, which can 
happen *after* the War, then he needs that experience that grows him 
to the post, at least in the public eye. ... Jim F. <end snip>

This is a good point, but I'm not certain it is supported by the 
text.  What are the real qualifications for Minister of Magic?  Barty 
Crouch Sr. was up for Minister, but Fudge got it.  They were both 
heads of departments, but Crouch Sr. fell out of favor so Fudge got 
the top job.  So far, this supports your point.  But:

Arthur Weasley is the head of a Ministry department, and that seems 
to be all the experience that is necessary.  We've also seen that he 
is pretty universally respected by non-Death Eaters and non-
Fudgians.  One example would be Mrs. Longbottom (a fairly well-
connected witch, I'd say); oh, and there's Dumbledore as well the 
entire Order of the Phoenix, which includes a few well-connected 
Ministry members.  Molly points out in GoF that it is only Arthur's 
love for Muggles that keeps in back within the Fudge regime of the 
Ministry, and this regime has just been severely discredited.