Why no Generals become President?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why no Generals become President? (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 5/6/2004 9:51:13 AM EDT

Just saw General Washington's face on purple heart (thanks DVDTracker).
Why is it that we have not had a President that was a General in the military in a while?

Posted: 5/6/2004 9:52:37 AM EDT

[#1]

Wasn't Eisenhower kind of a general?

Posted: 5/6/2004 9:53:33 AM EDT

[#2]

Ulysses S. Grant? (google) Yup.

Posted: 5/6/2004 9:54:23 AM EDT

[#3]

I mean in recent elections.

Posted: 5/6/2004 9:54:23 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
Wasn't Eisenhower kind of a general?

Maybe "awhile" is shorther than we think

Posted: 5/6/2004 9:55:25 AM EDT

[#5]

Maybe because the only general with a fair chance of winning isn't interested in the job.

Al Haig and Wesley Clark ran for president. I wouldn't want to see either one in the White House.

Posted: 5/6/2004 9:56:00 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Wasn't Eisenhower kind of a general?
Maybe "awhile" is shorther than we think

Public schools are not what they used to be

Posted: 5/6/2004 9:56:26 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Wasn't Eisenhower kind of a general?
Maybe "awhile" is shorther than we think

Young whippersnappers

Posted: 5/6/2004 9:56:47 AM EDT

[#8]

nope I was wrong

Carter was inthe navy from 1943-1953

Posted: 5/6/2004 9:59:15 AM EDT

[#9]

There was one in the Dimwitic (Democratic) primaries right? What was his name and why didn't get very far.

Posted: 5/6/2004 9:59:36 AM EDT

[#10]

Ike, Grant, Jackson, Harrison,Washington, Taylor, Pierce, Johnson, Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Harrison were all Generals!

Posted: 5/6/2004 10:00:49 AM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Why is it that we have not had a President that was a General in the military in a while?

Jimmy Carter was in the Navy for like 20 years. I think he is the president with the most military service even. (but I could be wrong)

I did not now that!

Posted: 5/6/2004 10:01:03 AM EDT

[#12]

US Presidents who were Generals:

George Washington
Andrew Jackson
William Henry Harrison
Zachary Taylor
Franklin Pierce
Andrew Johnson
Ulysses S. Grant
Rutherford B. Hayes
James Garfield
Chester Arthur
Benjamin Harrison
Dwight Eisenhower

Posted: 5/6/2004 10:04:21 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
Ike, Grant, Jackson, Harrison,Washington, Taylor, Pierce, Johnson, Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Harrison were all Generals!

Yes but Johnson was the last one right? Why has there not been one in recent elections?

Oopsy wrong Johnson!

Posted: 5/6/2004 10:09:19 AM EDT

[#14]

Carter went to the Naval Acadamy in1943, and did not actually get his commission until 1946.

Posted: 5/6/2004 10:12:21 AM EDT

[#15]

Not since 1961(Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower) have we had a Genral in the white house. Why?

Posted: 5/6/2004 10:16:01 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Maybe because the only general with a fair chance of winning isn't interested in the job.

Al Haig and Wesley Clark ran for president. I wouldn't want to see either one in the White House.

Good Point!

Posted: 5/6/2004 10:35:15 AM EDT

[#17]

I'm going to be a bit controversial here, but career military men/women BLOW at being the leaders of free countries. Ike is the only one from the modern era, and I suspect that he coattailed in on his fame from WWII. (not really up on the time frame in history, but who would want to run against Ike...) My rationale is simple. They are creatures of absolute hierarchy, and do not like to be questioned by those lower on said hierarchy, and it shows in their demeanor, and actions. This is what nailed Clark. You could see the rage in his eyes when reporters pushed him into a direction he didn't want to go. "Nobody screws with me, I'm the friggin General!"

I use my dear old dad as a great example. A great guy, but would have SUCKED as the elected leader of a free civilian population, even though he would have been pretty good as a pure Commander in Chief.

Posted: 5/6/2004 10:43:13 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
US Presidents who were Generals:

George Washington
Andrew Jackson
William Henry Harrison
Zachary Taylor
Franklin Pierce
Andrew Johnson
Ulysses S. Grant
Rutherford B. Hayes
James Garfield
Chester Arthur
Benjamin Harrison
Dwight Eisenhower

You forgot Clinton.

4 Star Rear Admiral of the USS Lewinski.

Posted: 5/6/2004 10:55:58 AM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
Quoted:
US Presidents who were Generals:

George Washington
Andrew Jackson
William Henry Harrison
Zachary Taylor
Franklin Pierce
Andrew Johnson
Ulysses S. Grant
Rutherford B. Hayes
James Garfield
Chester Arthur
Benjamin Harrison
Dwight Eisenhower

You forgot Clinton. 4 Star Rear Admiral of the USS Lewinski.

Posted: 5/6/2004 11:05:07 AM EDT

[#20]

Pretty much every General named won the election on his ablilty during the last war, and rode that popularity to become president.
There has not be a major conflict the people have been behind in a while. The last one that might have had any chance to me would have been Powell, but he didn't want the job either.

Posted: 5/6/2004 11:09:52 AM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
Quoted:
US Presidents who were Generals:

George Washington
Andrew Jackson
William Henry Harrison
Zachary Taylor
Franklin Pierce
Andrew Johnson
Ulysses S. Grant
Rutherford B. Hayes
James Garfield
Chester Arthur
Benjamin Harrison
Dwight Eisenhower

You forgot Clinton. 4 Star Rear Admiral of the USS Lewinski.

I did a few VIP's for Clinton on the West Coast, one in Hollywood was a bimbo fest! On the Plus side, it is not often you see Playboy/Penthouse material chicks in completely see-through knit dresses (shaved I might add) come up to the Magpoint!!!!

Posted: 5/6/2004 11:13:09 AM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Why is it that we have not had a President that was a General in the military in a while?

Jimmy Carter was in the Navy for like 20 years. I think he is the president with the most military service even. (but I could be wrong)

I did not now that!

Jimmy Carter was also a graduate of the United States Naval Academy.

Anyone remember who Ross Perot's running mate was in 96. Admiral James Stockdale, one of the most senior ranking POWs of the Vietnam War. Guy got regular beatings just because.

Posted: 5/6/2004 11:13:43 AM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
I did a few VIP's for Clinton on the West Coast, one in Hollywood was a bimbo fest! On the Plus side, it is not often you see Playboy/Penthouse material chicks in completely see-through knit dresses (shaved I might add) come up to the Magpoint!!!!

I did more "protection" details for the Clinton administration than I ever care to admit to. And none were as good as what you are describing. I usually got stuck with gay rights dinners and stupid shit like that.

The coolest was when Hitlery took us to former bloc countries... that was a paid 2 week vacation because our TSD guy gave about as much of a shit as e did when it came to sweeping any of her visiting locations. 2 weeks of sight seeing, souvenier shopping, and clubbing. Sometimes I forget I was there for "work".

Posted: 5/6/2004 11:18:19 AM EDT

[#24]

Zipper obviously you were sleeping during social studies. Both Grant and Ike were some sort of general. As were a lot more.

Posted: 5/6/2004 11:21:41 AM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:
Zipper obviously you were sleeping during social studies. Both Grant and Ike were some sort of general. As were a lot more.

Did you actually read his post? He meant recent presidents, or you guys might be getting to old.

Posted: 5/6/2004 11:25:07 AM EDT

[#26]

Stormin Norman in '08

TXL

Posted: 5/6/2004 11:27:49 AM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I did a few VIP's for Clinton on the West Coast, one in Hollywood was a bimbo fest! On the Plus side, it is not often you see Playboy/Penthouse material chicks in completely see-through knit dresses (shaved I might add) come up to the Magpoint!!!!

I did more "protection" details for the Clinton administration than I ever care to admit to. And none were as good as what you are describing. I usually got stuck with gay rights dinners and stupid shit like that.

The coolest was when Hitlery took us to former bloc countries... that was a paid 2 week vacation because our TSD guy gave about as much of a shit as e did when it came to sweeping any of her visiting locations. 2 weeks of sight seeing, souvenier shopping, and clubbing. Sometimes I forget I was there for "work".

That was the best VIP by far, he also spent an hour in some hotel that wasn't on the his Itinerary, like that is a surprise! When we got released, we got off of the Sunset strip and hit Santa Monica Blvd, just happened to be the Gay-Lesbian Parade day there, f'ing miles of FREAKS!!!!

Posted: 5/6/2004 11:30:44 AM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:
Stormin Norman in '08

TXL

I'd sooner vote for Captain Crunch or Colonel Sanders.

Posted: 5/6/2004 12:38:14 PM EDT

[#29]

The Navy doesn't have "generals" and Carter never made Admiral.

Quoted:
nope I was wrong

Carter was inthe navy from 1943-1953

Posted: 5/6/2004 2:46:13 PM EDT

[#30]

Someone like this would be good right now.

Shermans march to the Red Sea.

Posted: 5/6/2004 2:52:35 PM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:
Someone like this would be good right now.

ngeorgia.com/images/shermanw.jpg

Shermans march to the Red Sea.

My ancestor was his XO in his southern campaign.

Posted: 5/6/2004 3:00:43 PM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Why is it that we have not had a President that was a General in the military in a while?

Jimmy Carter was in the Navy for like 20 years. I think he is the president with the most military service even. (but I could be wrong)

I did not now that!

However, the thread is about Generals, whose counterpart would be Admirals. Carter was not an Admiral.

Posted: 5/6/2004 3:03:03 PM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:
Carter went to the Naval Acadamy in1943, and did not actually get his commission until 1946.

Funny how that works. Enter in '43, then '44, '45, and damn, graduate in '46. Who woulda thunk it! It is not a one year school.

Posted: 5/6/2004 4:09:55 PM EDT

[#34]

Air Force General LeMay ran for Vice President. I forget who was his Opposite Half.

Posted: 5/6/2004 5:02:34 PM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:
I'm going to be a bit controversial here, but career military men/women BLOW at being the leaders of free countries. Ike is the only one from the modern era, and I suspect that he coattailed in on his fame from WWII. (not really up on the time frame in history, but who would want to run against Ike...) My rationale is simple. They are creatures of absolute hierarchy, and do not like to be questioned by those lower on said hierarchy, and it shows in their demeanor, and actions. This is what nailed Clark. You could see the rage in his eyes when reporters pushed him into a direction he didn't want to go. "Nobody screws with me, I'm the friggin General!"

I use my dear old dad as a great example. A great guy, but would have SUCKED as the elected leader of a free civilian population, even though he would have been pretty good as a pure Commander in Chief.

That's the truth actually. Generals usually don't make good politicians, and are more action minded instead of negotiation minded. They don't have much of a clue about how the average joe lives or what their concerns are since they spent most of their lives living on a military base and around people who give them everything they ask for without question.

Posted: 5/6/2004 6:12:17 PM EDT

[#36]

I'm not sure if I could vote for Sherman, even if he was going to march in the Middle East. I'm still sore over his last march

Posted: 5/6/2004 6:21:47 PM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm going to be a bit controversial here, but career military men/women BLOW at being the leaders of free countries. Ike is the only one from the modern era, and I suspect that he coattailed in on his fame from WWII. (not really up on the time frame in history, but who would want to run against Ike...) My rationale is simple. They are creatures of absolute hierarchy, and do not like to be questioned by those lower on said hierarchy, and it shows in their demeanor, and actions. This is what nailed Clark. You could see the rage in his eyes when reporters pushed him into a direction he didn't want to go. "Nobody screws with me, I'm the friggin General!"

I use my dear old dad as a great example. A great guy, but would have SUCKED as the elected leader of a free civilian population, even though he would have been pretty good as a pure Commander in Chief.

That's the truth actually. Generals usually don't make good politicians, and are more action minded instead of negotiation minded. They don't have much of a clue about how the average joe lives or what their concerns are since they spent most of their lives living on a military base and around people who give them everything they ask for without question.

I agree with all but the part in red. They have a LOT of knowledge of the outside world, since most of their troops (the young ones) just came from it. And they have to spend a lot of time working with the local community--about half of a base commander's job is dealing with folks who live and work in the area.

Also, a general, no matter how high up, still has a boss who sometimes tells him "no," and has many other constraints within which he has to work, no matter how much he doesn't like it.

Lastly, a GOOD general would surround himself with people who did tell him NO occassionally.

The reason why generals don't make good politicians is because they wouldn't be out to make people feel good; they'd go out and fix the problems. In today's age that would alienate a bunch of special interest groups who then wouldn't have anything to scare people with.

Posted: 5/6/2004 6:23:13 PM EDT

[#38]

I talked to LeMay once. I'ld rather have Sherman

Posted: 5/6/2004 9:59:31 PM EDT

[#39]

Same reason that John Kennedy was the last senator to get elected president. And William Howard Taft was the last federal judge to make it. They have a record. They have a paper trail of decisions made, and the consequences thereof, that provide just too much ammuniton for pundits.

Posted: 5/6/2004 10:05:34 PM EDT

[#40]

Quoted:
I'm going to be a bit controversial here, but career military men/women BLOW at being the leaders of free countries.

Yup.

Posted: 5/6/2004 11:10:01 PM EDT

[#41]

Quoted:
Stormin Norman in '08

TXL

Hell yeah!!!

Posted: 5/6/2004 11:20:56 PM EDT

[#42]

Well I was thanking that here recently there has not been any Generals or Upper/Senior Military officials who have entered in to and had a successful election or campaign.

I see what you mean by they are good at what they do, but when it comes to the people they are not the best choice, nor do they know what would be best for us.

I really wonder if there was something to do with money?

Posted: 5/6/2004 11:24:39 PM EDT

[#43]

Quoted:
Maybe because the only general with a fair chance of winning isn't interested in the job.

Al Haig and Wesley Clark ran for president. I wouldn't want to see either one in the White House.

Alexander Haig

would have made a very good President in my opinion. He just ran at the wrong time when we had another pretty good guy running by the name of Ronald Reagan.

Posted: 5/6/2004 11:35:31 PM EDT

[#44]

Quoted:
I'm going to be a bit controversial here, but career military men/women BLOW at being the leaders of free countries. Ike is the only one from the modern era, and I suspect that he coattailed in on his fame from WWII. (not really up on the time frame in history, but who would want to run against Ike...) My rationale is simple. They are creatures of absolute hierarchy, and do not like to be questioned by those lower on said hierarchy, and it shows in their demeanor, and actions. This is what nailed Clark. You could see the rage in his eyes when reporters pushed him into a direction he didn't want to go. "Nobody screws with me, I'm the friggin General!"

I use my dear old dad as a great example. A great guy, but would have SUCKED as the elected leader of a free civilian population, even though he would have been pretty good as a pure Commander in Chief.

Ike was the "hidden hand President" because he was so politically adept that nobody even knew he was at the wheel. When Francis Gary powers was shot down his poll numbers went up, cause it showed he was actually doing something about the Soviets.

Posted: 5/7/2004 3:41:03 AM EDT

[#45]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm going to be a bit controversial here, but career military men/women BLOW at being the leaders of free countries. Ike is the only one from the modern era, and I suspect that he coattailed in on his fame from WWII. (not really up on the time frame in history, but who would want to run against Ike...) My rationale is simple. They are creatures of absolute hierarchy, and do not like to be questioned by those lower on said hierarchy, and it shows in their demeanor, and actions. This is what nailed Clark. You could see the rage in his eyes when reporters pushed him into a direction he didn't want to go. "Nobody screws with me, I'm the friggin General!"

I use my dear old dad as a great example. A great guy, but would have SUCKED as the elected leader of a free civilian population, even though he would have been pretty good as a pure Commander in Chief.

Ike was the "hidden hand President" because he was so politically adept that nobody even knew he was at the wheel. When Francis Gary powers was shot down his poll numbers went up, cause it showed he was actually doing something about the Soviets.

On the same token, had he bitched slapped Castro around in the 50's we'd have another vacation spot. From what I have read about Ike, he had a hard time making decisions himself and relied on others, even during WWII. However, I did read that in a biography of Truman.

Posted: 5/7/2004 9:09:43 AM EDT

[#46]

Quoted:
I'm going to be a bit controversial here, but career military men/women BLOW at being the leaders of free countries. Ike is the only one from the modern era, and I suspect that he coattailed in on his fame from WWII. (not really up on the time frame in history, but who would want to run against Ike...) My rationale is simple. They are creatures of absolute hierarchy, and do not like to be questioned by those lower on said hierarchy, and it shows in their demeanor, and actions. This is what nailed Clark. You could see the rage in his eyes when reporters pushed him into a direction he didn't want to go. "Nobody screws with me, I'm the friggin General!"
I use my dear old dad as a great example. A great guy, but would have SUCKED as the elected leader of a free civilian population, even though he would have been pretty good as a pure Commander in Chief.

Right-on
After working hard all of his life he is not going to take crap from guys like Gerado.

Posted: 5/7/2004 9:21:22 AM EDT

[#47]

Quoted:
Maybe because the only general with a fair chance of winning isn't interested in the job.

Al Haig and Wesley Clark ran for president. I wouldn't want to see either one in the White House.

If you mean Powell, I'd rather have John McCain...

Powell is the ultimate RINO