@Kareem:
This. Naruto would be a terrible Hokage since another major qualification of the job beyond just simple strength is an actual BRAIN. Which Naruto never had and certainly doesn't have now. These days not only is he stupid he's also blind, at least when it comes to Sasuke.
Edit: Okay Outerspec let's stand back for a second. What we're saying is that Naruto's dream has been essentially fulfilled by having the love, respect and admiration of the entire village and by this point he'll be handed the title of Hokage on a silver platter in a few years. What you're saying is that his dream won't truly be fulfilled until he's actually Hokage. Considering his character it wouldn't surprise me if "Hokage or bust" was the case for him but what we're really getting at is that the fun of seeing him become Hokage is lost.
Back when we actually gave a crap, we wanted to see him become Hokage so that he would finally be respected by his village because Kishimoto really did do a good job of making Naruto's quest for admiration sympathetic (this was back when he was able to fully utilize his talents). Now he has the respect, admiration etc. of virtually everyone in the village and is beloved by all, so at this point it doesn't matter if he becomes Hokage or not, the reason the dream mattered has been fulfilled. That's basically what we're getting at.
I understand if you all would see him becoming Hokage as a redundant or unnecessary end to the story now that he already has 'Hero Status' among the villagers and has been praised as Hokage material, but I'd see it as him finally achieving his dream after over a decade already of reading this manga. From chapter 1 Naruto claimed he'd become Hokage and surpass the others. I can't just be satisfied him being next in line and I don't see how'd he'd be satisfied either. It's like being Vice President and if something were to happen to guy/woman above you you're to take the spot. Awesome. I'm not particularly excited just for seeing him reach this goal but I do firmly stand by my original point.
http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=32452&p=2319697&viewfull=1#post2319697
Naruto's dream is to become Hokage. A huge underlying goal in that was recognition but there's also the ultimate authority when it comes to decisions made in the village and protecting the village. Naruto hasn't reached his goal yet until he actually reaches it.
@RobbyBevard:
He's ALREADY Hokage in all but official title.
When you graduate high school, you're done the day you take your last test. After that its just waiting for the formal ceremony. You don't have to do or prove anything else or take any more test to graduate, you're done with school. Just waiting for the specific day where its made official.
When he president is elected in November, he's then President Elect. Doesn't have to do any more campaigning, he has the job. Just waiting for ceremony to take over… and in fact starts setting up his cabinet in advance during that remaining 2 months.
Naruto IS Hokage. If Tsunade died in the war, he'd get the rank. Simple as that. There's nothing else to prove or achieve, he's already officially on the list to be next, everyone knows he's going to be hokage, he has everyone's respect, and everyone just "stays out of his way" because hes so much stronger than them.
Kishi accidentally wrapped up his goal after Pain, pure and simple.
He can't already be Hokage in everything but the title because he still can't make the most important decisions in the village and he still doesn't have the authority of the Hokage. He's next in line and when he actually takes the next step isn't up to him and all his glory. It's up to Tsunade and anything that happens to her, and years can pass before Naruto can take her position. You're saying he might as well be or basically is Hokage but I want to reiterate that's most likely not good enough for Naruto and it isn't for me either. There's a mighty difference in obtaining your dream and being close to obtaining it. It might be less exciting for him to be appointed Hokage now that he already is the hero of the village and is well loved but honestly it's just simple closure for most.
Also, as I said before the thing he'd prove is his Ninja Way which is he never goes back on his word. He has repeated time and time again that he'd become Hokage. When he actually becomes Hokage he'd be keeping to his nindo and flawlessly.