The Tragic History of Senators and the White House: A Curse For Clinton, Obama and Edwards?

[Carrieyazel]

Only 2 sitting Senators in the history of the country have ever made it to the White House. Both met with tragedy.

Warren Harding (R) : Died in office after less than 3 years
John F. Kennedy (D) : Was assassinated after less than 3 years


Only 2 former Senators with no executive experience ever made it to the White House. None since the 1800's. One Democrat and one Repub. Again, this was before the modern political era.

Franklin Pierce 1852
Benjamin Harrison 1888

Both were failed presidents who lasted only one term.

House members have also fared tragically.

Only 2 members of the House of Representatives with no executive experience have ever made it to the White House. (One sitting, one former) None since the 1800's. Both were Republicans.

Abraham Lincoln : Was assassinated
James Garfield : Was assassinated

Only one of these six Presidents is considered great (Lincoln). Four of the six died in office. Many others from Congress have tried and failed to be elected President.

We need to condider this. Senators with no executive experince; professional legislators very rarely win. It is such a massive obstacle to overcome. The voters have always seen them as part of the Washington problem and also don't see them as Presidents, because they're not executives. Governors and vice-presidents are the ones who win. If we nominate yet another Senator we will pay dearly next November. Is there a Senate curse? Some would say yes.

BILL RICHARDSON 2008

[Renew Deal]

1. Did you know that Bush is related to Franklin Pierce? Scary huh?

What happens when two senators run against each other? Do they both lose? It reminds of the old Cubs-Red Sox joke. The world series would go to the 7th game tied in the 9th inning and the world would end.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

4. It's Also Silly

I like Bill Richardson a lot...That's the poster's candidate...All the evidence suggests Bill Richardson isn't going to be our nominee...

[Happyhippychick]

3. Gee I thought Democrats were above fear mongering tactics.

[cali]

5. Jeezus Keerist

What a scum post and how ridiculous. Are you actually suggesting that we shouldn't vote for a Senator or Rep because they might meet with tragedy.

Worst advocacy post ever.

[endarkenment]

6. We need to condider this?

OK. Condider it dully condidered.

[TwilightGardener]

7. Bizarre post. Are you suggesting that Obama or Hillary are somehow

more likely to be assassinated because they're SENATORS? There's no logic to that, despite your examples. And the whole "governor vs Senator" thing might work in a different election cycle, but this time, all the gov's are lame--the Senators outshine them, in both parties. Nice try though.

[Carrieyazel]

8. It still makes you think, doesn't it? There has to be a Senate curse.

Senators Clinton and Obama could be great Senators if they just stayed in the Senate.

[TwilightGardener]

10. But...they don't WANT to stay in the Senate, they want to be President, and they

have every bit as much right to do so as any governor, mayor, etc. And I don't think there's a curse, and even if there was, it wouldn't dissuade me from supporting Obama. I'm more afraid of someone trying to take him out because of racism than anything else.

[NYCGirl]

11. No. It's completely stupid. NT

[Carrieyazel]

9. There is no logic to that at all, I agree, but its quite eerie though.

Much more likely though is that Clinton and Obama remain in the Senate and have long, productive careers in the Senate.

[xxqqqzme]

12. Gerald Ford was a senator?

He went from Minority Leader in the House to VP to replace Agnew; then onto the presidency when RMN resigned. While not a spectacular president he did not meet a tragic end. darth cheney & rummy got their bodies wedged in the door however. I have always considered Ford's ascension to the the presidency as the first publican coup.

[Carrieyazel]

14. No, he was a congressman, then VP

[Carrieyazel]

13. Far more senators lose than end up in the White House.

Senators Clinton and Obama can become solid Senators for us. That's their calling.

[SaveElmer]

15. Andrew Jackson was a Senator...nt

[Carrieyazel]

18. He was also Governor of Tennessee

Not just a Senator.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

16. Historical inaccuracy

Both Abraham Lincoln and James Garfield were Republicans.

[Carrieyazel]

17. Thanks, I fixed it in the original post.

Only 2 Democrats ever with no executive experience ever made it to the White House.

4 Republicans managed it.