Should generals/admirals be allowed to run for President?

Question

Does it lend too easily towards militarism, or military leaders more concerned with winning the White House then effectively dealing with the enemies we face? Serious answers please.

Answer 1

Absolutely , they should be allowed to run, as long as they fit the other requirements {born in the US etc}. Generals/Admirals are used to managing large groups of people, and are usually pretty versed in diplomacy. I dont think that it would lend towards militarism, as it seems the military is more political than military @ this point. I do think that someone thats served a carreer in the military might see the world more black and white, than someone who didnt serve, or only served 1 enlistment or so.

Answer 2

Any civilian citizen can run for President and has every right to the office if elected. Our history has several examples - both good and bad - of Generals becoming President after leaving military service and there is no evidence that it led to militarism. We have a separation of powers built in to our system that provides checks and balances.

Any serious candidate for the office, especially in these post 9/11 times, should be very concerned about our nation's security. Win or lose. For that matter, every citizen should be very concerned about our nation's security as well and be careful about their choice if that person has the fortitude to face the challenges.

Answer 3

To the best of my knowledge, active duty soldiers, sailors, and officers are not allowed to campaign for political office in the United States. This is not true after retirement. Thus, I don't think the second part of your question has any validity.

If we look at the former military officers who became President, I think you will agree that the first part of your question has not proven true either. I don't think Presidents/Generals Washington, Jackson, van Buren, Grant, or Eisenhower brought militarism to the government.

On the other hand, certain Presidents with little military experience did encourage a strong military or brought the country into war. I'm thinking of Bush, Jr., Reagan, LB Johnson, Kennedy, and Lincoln. I'm not familiar with Lyndon's military history, but none of the others had important military careers. (Bush, Jr. was a low-level officer in the Reserves who did not complete his duty; Reagan made propaganda films, Kennedy was a low-level officer who became a hero because he was a good swimmer, and Lincoln was a low-level officer who fought Indians in some minor battles).

Bush, Jr. has led us into Afghanistan and Iraq, and he has repeatedly called for more militarization of the government and society, as well as fewer civil rights. Lyndon brought us Vietnam. JFK ran on a pro-nuclear program and nearly blew up the world during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Lincoln brought the country into its bloodiest war ever.

Answer 4

They are citizens and if they were born in the good old USofA they have the right to run. But honestly in todays political climate I doubt if a general/admiral could get the votes to win either partys primaries let alone the election. Most milatary lifers just don't come across on tv with a manor of presentation necessary to win over the masses. Guess they just can't lie well enough. A life long job of being honest ruins them for public office.

Answer 5

Yes. Ike. Washington were some of the best Presidents we ever have.
A general wii have a better understanding of what problems wars will help and what problems wars will hurt.
Most Generals have been through war so they will not be likely to put militarism as number 1. The generals have to do what the President says.

Answer 6

Generals are often the ones who appreciate democracy the most and who know how bad war really is. And after all, it was Eisenhower who first warned of the dangers of a standing army and the growth of the military-industrial complex.

Answer 7

Not while in service, of course, there'd be a clear conflict of interest in having those two jobs at the same time. The retired ones, of couse if they were born in the States, can run & be elected, like anyone else. There were rumors and hopes that Colin Powel would run, but he was happy to be Dumbya's puppet instead.

Answer 8

Eisenhower warned us against the military industrial complex. As a former general he was aware of the dangers. I doubt that Colin Powell would have blundered as terribly as Bush/Cheney.

Answer 9

Absolutely. Some of our best leaders have been generals and others have served proudly in the military. If they haven't done well in the military sector, the public will know and won't support them.

Answer 10

Legally, of course they could run. General Eisenhower, for example.