Posted on 05/25/2012 10:16:29 PM PDT by brityank
When presidents were military men
Article by: John Nagl , Special to the Washington Post | Updated: May 25, 2012 - 11:52 AMIn every presidential election since 1992, the candidate with the less distinguished military resume has triumphed.
Bill Clinton defeated war heroes George H.W. Bush and Bob Dole; National Guard pilot George W. Bush beat Vietnam veterans Al Gore and John Kerry; and Barack Obama was decisively elected over John McCain, who had displayed extraordinary valor during years of captivity as a Navy pilot in North Vietnam.
In 2012, we won't have the chance to test this trend: For the first time in modern American history, neither major candidate for the presidency has any military experience.
This is a dramatic change. The crucible of combat not only created these United States but has also given us many of our most successful presidents.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Wars have given the United States many of its most important political leaders, and we can expect those who have led this country's sons and daughters in the sands of Anbar province and the mountains of the Hindu Kush to turn their sights to the highest office in the land in years to come.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
Now they return from their familial Indonesian madrasahs and Mexican chicken ranches.
LOL!
I am not so sure Al Gore in this picture really exemplifies fire arms safety.
McCain lost that election because he turned people off with his grimace, lack of real warmth, and lack of personality, along with his FENCE STRADDLING. Only reason I voted for him is I knew 0 was worse and of course SARAH PALIN.
Other wise I would have sat home. My vote was wasted on McCain.
I don’t want RINO ROMNEY EITHER!
I’m not sure how old Romney is though.
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Hes 65
Willard Romney dodged the draft during Vietnam twice...
Many draft dodgers wernt to Canada...
Wee Willie Mitty ran all the way to Paris France for 2 1/2 years to sit out the war, living in a mansion and driving a Citroen...
Barry is bad enough...
Imagine having Bill Clinton redux for the CinC...
Willard’s family came to the US about the 1830s...
In the SEVEN generations since not one Romney has ever served in the US military...
Thats highly unusual for an American family...
Obamas grandfather Stanley Dunham served during WWII...
None of Willards forebears did...
Not the Indian Wars
the Civil War
The Spanish American War
WWI
WWII
Vietnam
Grenada
Iraq
Afghanistan
None of those FIVE boys of his have ever been in the service at any level...
He claims they served our country by working in his campaign...
During 2008 he equated being a campaign worker for him to the men and women fighting and dying in Iraq...
Talk about out of touch and sick mocking...
As a US veteran, I do not look forward to the prospect of a CinC Wee Willie Mitty....
Let’s see, Mitt likened (doubtless with hyperbole) being a campaign worker with being a hero in a larger venue?
I think the latter heroes COULD take that as a kind of compliment. Which is why I’ve never understood why, say, Marines have proudly told stories of assaulting citizens who’ve bought Marine stuff in some surplus store and were wearing it without the “full appreciation.” It’s a compliment, for gosh darn sakes. Why can’t you accept it.
He also doesnt have Grant..
theres photos of him in his uniform...
or Jackson...
or “Tippecanoe” Harrison...
and how can George Washington be left off...
I have to add that McCain lost because he ran a campaign like a Senator, not an A-4 jock.
OTOH, those created by combat for ancient Rome became dictators.
“That must be a pic of the one day reporter Al Gore spent in the bush.”
Nope.ost certainly a posed shot taken to “prove” his credentials for his later political campaigns.....
question????? Where his buddies? I believe that Al only spent a very few months in Vietnam before Senator “Daddy” Gore had him pulled out and re-assigned back to the states...
With THAT weak of a record, one would think Willard would be thinking along the lines of Col. West.
Obama WILL tout his grandfather who served in WWII. He does it all the time. Obama and Michelle have also been very involved in promoting measures to support the troops, in terms of the GI bill, better benefits, etc.
Not that the troops don’t see right through him.
“Which is why I’ve never understood why, say, Marines have proudly told stories of assaulting citizens who’ve bought Marine stuff in some surplus store and were wearing it without the “full appreciation.”
It’s called “stolen valor” and is against the law.
I, a former Marine” met a man outside of a government office who claimed to have been a “Second Lt” in the Navy flying “fighters” and “dropping bombs” in support of Marines in Vietnam to any and all who would listen.
After listening to this jerk brag about his service to others in line I finally told him what for. “There are no Second Lts in the Navy” He told me I was full of it and that his son was a “Second Lt” in the Navy too, also flying a “fighter” on bombing missions for the Marines.” He then offered to kick my butt for daring to dispute him......lolololol.....
The famous combat photo of Gore? What did he have in the pack, a typewriter, mimeograph machine and a note pad? At least he removed the magazine from the M-16 before he had the barrel pointed at his head. I would ass-u-me, he did.
I never knew that about Mittens family, yet another reason why is more Progressive than Conservative.
Now with that said, Military experience should NOT a prerequisite for the Presidency, Calvin Coolidge, Warren Harding, John Adams, even Sarah Palin never served in the Military.
Now this subject is important today because Barry has unique hatred for the Military he is in charge of(Exhibit A: His Friendship with Billy Ayers.)
Obama WILL tout his grandfather who served in WWII. He does it all the time.
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and we cant fault him for that... the guy actually served and well...
Whether its for political gain or pride in his Grandpa, Obama does have the right to mention Mr Dunham...
and it would odd if he didnt mention him...
and he has a few further back in the generations..
I’m proud of my ancestors who served too...
Both my Granddads were in the service...
and further back...
However Obama wasnt ever drafted...
There was no draft when he was old enough...
But Willard Romney was of age during the draft...
and he got at least TWO deferments...
With his Dad the Gov of Michigan, he could have pulled strings and got him assigned stateside...
at least he would have served...
But NOOOOOOOOO
Not Wee Willie Mitty, groomed by his ambitious Dad to be a future POTUS...
Not one Romney has ever served our country...in war..or in peacetime...
Thats a severe record of anti-American sentiments...
I went in the USAF shortly after I arrived here...
I wore my uniform the day I became an American citizen...
I was so proud to be in America...
The old country...
the land of my fathers...
I just wanted to do something for my new/old country...
Plus I had a sister who adored JFK..
:)
That is awesome!
If you don't mind me asking, when did you become an American Citizen and where are you originally from?
My Dad is from Germany and my Mother is From the U.K. they arrived in the Untied States in 1970. (I was born here after they both achieved citizenship)
Very good points. It might be THE THING that the media uses to bring Romney down. After all, they have an axe to grind for what was done to John Kerry, no?
Romney best not rely on a Rubio, or a Ryan. Could leave open exposing a VERY weak spot.
No but Sarah’s son served in Iraq...
I became an American citizen in 1975...
I was born in New Zealand...
As a teenager my 2nd great grandfather went from Canada to California and Australia for the gold rush in the early 1850s...
and from there to New Zealand...
His grandparents and great grandparents were Loyalists from New Rochelle, NY...
We always knew we were from the US...
We had his Bible with his history...
You are eligible to be president !!!
:)
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