For those who think Wes Clark should be VP...only 1 President During the 20th Century was a General

[Bullet1987]

It's time for a little history lesson folks. This thread is a branch-off from...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6037561">Wes Clark annoys me and shouldn't be VP

First and foremost, it's important to note that there have only been 12 Presidents in U.S. History that were Generals before they became President. The vast majority of those names are out of the 19th century (guys like Andrew Jackson, Franklin Pierce, and Zachary Taylor). Jackson was a General during the War of 1812, and both Taylor and Pierce led soldiers during the Mexican War. Then of course, you had George Washington who led during the American Revolution. But an entire HALF of those names on this list of 12 served during the Civil War. These were the Reconstruction Presidents.

During the entire 20th century the ONLY President who was only a General prior to going into the White House was Dwight D. Eisenhower (one of the best Generals this country has ever had). Eisenhower served during World War II for crying out loud.

Now what does this list tell us? It tells us that the days of Generals going straight to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. are likely over. The Generals who did go straight to the White House were the ones who led/fought through some of the toughest wars this country has been in. MOST of the names on that list DID fight in the wars they led and on the front lines too!! This is the issue I have with not only Clark, but other names thrown out there too like Zinni. Generals are usually not very good politicians unless they've had experience actually in it LEADING something (like a Mayor or Govenor).

I know Wes Clark is liked by many here on DU, but the idea of him shooting straight to the VP spot is simply unrealistic in my book. If Obama does go after someone with military experience...it'll be someone who wasn't a career military tactician (like Clark). But someone with some political experience as well. Webb has actually more of a chance than Clark...but Webb has his own problems too.

EDIT: I forgot I didn't post the list. Here it is...

1. George Washington, Revolutionary War
2. Andrew Jackson, War of 1812
3. William Henry Harrison, War of 1812
4. Zachary Taylor, Mexican War
5. Franklin Pierce, Mexican War
6. Andrew Johnson, Civil War
7. Ulysses Simpson Grant, Civil War
8. Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Civil War
9. James Abram Garfield, Civil War
10. Chester Allan Arthur, Civil War
11. Benjamin Harrison, Civil War
12. Dwight David Eisenhower, World War II

[ruby slippers]

1. and one was a deserter.....

http://www.awolbush.com/

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[Ytzak]

2. Wes Clark would be running for Vice President, not president....

That should not keep him from visting state funerals.

What does he bring to the table? Can he win any states that Obama can not?

[Honeycombe8]

3. Yes, I don't think the comparison of Prez to V.P. is accurate. But conclusion is right.

He won't be VP.

[Bullet1987]

4. The job of the VP is to potentially take over if something ever happened to

the President. Not only that, but the VP is STILL in the White House and has a lot of authority.

[hokies4ever]

5. That doesn't mean that he would be a bad choice

Must I also point out that no black person has been a presidential nominee of the Dem Party? Where will this game end? Sorry, but this is disappointing seeing a fellow Obama fan using Hillary talking points.

[Bullet1987]

8. What does being Black have to do with anything?

If you have the qualifications? Trying to connect race with what I'm talking about (General's with little to no political experience going straight to the WH) is really strange.

[Beregond2]

6. My support of Clark

for VP (which isn't particularly strong) is predicated on the idea that he would be too old to run for president in 8 years. Let's face it, VP is a pretty powerless and useless office. About all it is good for is to balance the perceived weaknesses of a presidential candidate, and it doesn't even seem to do that.

Clark would probably be of more use in the Department of Defense.

[leveymg]

7. Clark as VP symbolizes a party unity ticket with HRC, as well as national security credentials

He has a lot going for him.