Item written in June 2010

 Petraeus for United States President

Michael Streich

Popular generals have long been viewed as appealing presidential candidates in American history, especially during times of internal or external crisis. It should not be surprising that General David Petraeus is being suggested as a possible Republican Party candidate in 2012 or 2016 or beyond. Spiegel magazine (June 28, 2010) asserts that President Barack Obama’s appointment of General Petraeus after the removal of General Stanley McCrystal might have been motivated, in part, by the desire to keep Petraeus, America’s “most popular general…” from becoming a viable adversary in the 2012 presidential election.

 

Do Generals Make Good Presidents?

 

America’s first president, George Washington, was the revered leader of the War for Independence. Historians rank Washington as a “great president” who shepherded the fledgling nation through its birth pangs. But not all of America’s warrior presidents are looked upon with such acclaim.

 

In 1848, the Whig Party considered two popular generals as their candidate, both having distinguished themselves in the Mexican American War. Ultimately, Zachary Taylor was selected over Winfield Scott, who would finally receive the party’s nomination in 1852. Scott's nomination in 1852, however,helped seal the end of the Whig Party. Taylor meanwhile, died while in office halfway through his one term. succeeded by the mediocre Millard Fillmore.

 

In 1952 two popular generals, Douglas MacArthur and Dwight D. Eisenhower, were considered by a Republican Party eager to recapture the White House. Eisenhower was selected and served two terms but left no significant mark on legislative initiatives.Eisenhower, who spent many of his hours on the golf course, allowed the military complex to dictate national and foreign policy.

 

Why Generals are Appealing

 

General David Petraeus effectively ended the Iraqi insurgency. Toby Hamden, writing in the Telegraph (April 3, 2010), comments that, “Many voters yearn for an outsider, someone with authenticity, integrity, and proven accomplishment.” General Petraeus is also considered a scholar and a diplomat. According to The Hill (June 23, 2010), “Senators from both parties praised Obama’s decision to tap Petraeus…”

 

General Colin Powell was courted as a possible presidential candidate in the 1990s by both political parties, the most serious efforts made to recruit him in the 1996 election. Patraeus embodies many of the attributes that made Powell appealing, unlike General Alexander Haig’s active bid to seek the presidency in 1988. Haig never exuded the kind of confidence Powell or Petraeus command among American citizens.

 

John Hughes, writing in the Christian Science Monitor (April 15, 2010) states that, “If he indeed becomes the victorious mastermind behind America’s two longest wars, and his countrymen told him they need him to lead the nation as president, it would be hard for him to turn a deaf ear to the call.” This was written over two months before President Obama sent him to command in Afghanistan.

 

Unsuccessful Generals Turning to Politics

 

President Ulysses S. Grant, often appearing on lists of “ten worst presidents,” could not parlay military leadership into political leadership. Dominated by corrupt advisors and surrounded by men who used him to perpetuate graft, Grant’s two terms were infested with scandals, ultimately splitting the Republicans. Recent presidential scholarship has rehabilitated Grant and his fairly successful tenure in the White House. Additionally, his excessive drinking is largely a myth.

 General George B. McClellan, dismissed by President Lincoln in 1862, unsuccessfully challenged Lincoln in the 1864 presidential election. The reason was less his failure to follow-up at Antietam than spectacular Union victories in the summer of 1864. Like David Petraeus, McClellan was a West Pointer; both graduated in the top of their class.

 

Impact of the War on any Future Presidential Bid for Petraeus

 

Even if American troops begin to depart Afghanistan in the summer of 2011, General Petraeus would not have the time to launch a campaign. As the writers of the June 28, 2010 Spiegel article point out, “He can hardly run an election campaign from Kabul.” Further, if the general is successful, as he was in Iraq, the victory will be an asset to the Obama reelection campaign.

 

This does not deter those who believe David Petraeus is the perfect man to lead America. An American Spectator article by Phillip Klein (May 2010), posted on Congressman Peter King’s (R-NY) congressional web page, states, “Observers including Rep. Pete King and former McCain-Palin adviser Nicolle Wallace have also floated the idea of a Petraeus candidacy.” The same article quotes Bob Dole comparing Petraeus to Eisenhower.

 

General Petraeus will shortly be in Afghanistan, implementing strategies he helped to plan. While supporters at home explore the option of a Petraeus candidacy, the general’s foremost task is to renew a faltering offense, reinvigorate the Kandahar operation, and hope that Congress will swiftly pass the emergency supplemental appropriation.