Political Crossfire Forums

Since 1992 we have:

1992: George HW Bush (WW2 hero) losing to Bill Clinton (draft dodger)
1996: Bob Dole (WW2 hero) losing to Bill Clinton (draft dodger)
2000: Al Gore (Vietnam vet) losing to George W Bush (draft dodger)
2004: John Kerry (decorated Vietnam vet) losing to George W Bush (draft dodger)
2008: John McCain (decorated Vietnam hero and POW) losing to Barack Obama (academic wimp with no military service)

2012 was basically a push with neither candidate having served.

Seems like military service was basically a prerequisite to be president for a generation+ and then suddenly we've had this extended period where they always lose. What's up?

I think there were allot more factors involved in the elections you mentioned that overshadowed the loosing canidate's military record.

The stereotype is changing though... While still an honorable profession, the viewpoint of military personnel by the American public is typically not a good one. Examples include:

- Enlisting instead of going to college... Tons of reasons why someone would do that but the stereotype is one of assumed stupidity. Up to the 60's this was not the case.
- We are becoming war weary and the military is a constant reminder.
- More and more politicians are using our military members as political pawns. This not only degrades the individual troop but waters down the importance of the military.

At the very least, being a Vet really isn't a strong resume builder for presidency anymore. At the worst, it can be a detriment... Look at Kerry.

Yes I acknowledge there are other reasons for each of those elections, but there were numerous factors in every race from 1948-1988 and yet every single time we elected a military man so I don't think this is just incidental.

The case of Bush Jr, beating Kerry is pretty interesting.

Some experts say the public was kinda hesitant to switch horses mid stream during a war. I don't know how much weight that carries. Next, the Karl Rove machine turned Kerry's "ready to serve" slogan against him, with the whole swift boat nonsense.

Another issues was republicans bringing up the fact that Kerry voted for all these cuts to the military after the collapse of the Soviet Union, which would make sense. What republicans forgot to mention that was that all these military cuts were approved by Bush Sr, and recommended by Sec of Deffense Dick Cheney.

Karl Rove may be the spawn of satan, but he knows how to wage and win a dirty campaign.