In my "voting life time" the only US Senator to be elected President was Kennedy. The Governorship route has been the most popular source for new Presidents. Perhaps that is because they have administrative experience.
Two former Senators and one congressman became "accidental Presidents. The two Democrats in their own right became great Presidents.
Truman led the Country and the world to the end of WWII and the recovery of society this side of the Soviet Empire. Johnson made a great mistake by becoming too deeply involved in an other war that we , the people did not understand, and the politicians and military leaders fought the wrong way. However this bigoted Texan was the architect of the greatest advancement in civil and social rights this country has known.
The "accidental former congressman was Gerald Ford who succeeded Nixon who had also been a congressman and that rarity a Vice President. Ford had little opportunity to shine in his own light. His Presidency was tainted by the Nixon scandals.
Nixon positive accomplishments was to end the Vietnam war and to open relationships with communist China. However his autocratic idea of the Presidency was perhaps even more dangerous for this country than the Cheney et al /Bush administration has been.
Eisenhower could have been elected from either party He has been a most under appreciated President and some day his true place in history will evolve. Another former military leader that I would have liked to have seen run for the Presidency is Colin Powell. He would have been the best choice today.
Less the Bush detractors forget, with all his faults the only Secretary of States he ha shad have both been Afro-Americans. It is too bad that the Cheney clique could negate their influence.
Carter for other reasons rivals GWB as the worse post WW II President. Enough said..
We should look forward with anticipation not apprehension about the outcome of tomorrow's election. Sadly and unfortunately, we continue to ignore the impact that Congress has on the Presidency.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment