THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, November 6, 1995 TAG: 9511020022
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
My economics teachers in high school taught us to never elect a military man to high office, so it is only fitting to review some of the military men who have been chosen to represent us.
Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, it has been stated, knew neither the theory nor the practice of politics and seemed to regard his office as a reward for past services rather than a solemn public trust.
Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower's administration was nothing to write home about.
Then there was Theodore Roosevelt, known for his charge up San Juan Hill. He had one of the best administrations because he was a great political leader who could play on all the nuances of public opinion by appealing directly to the people over the heads of Congress.
Then comes Jimmy Carter, who was a governor of Georgia, but his military training was his stumbling block.
Therefore, the question still remains: Should we elect military men to the office of the presidency just because of past accomplishment within the military? My economics teacher, I believe, was right.
FRANCIS F. NUGENT
RMCS, U.S. Navy (ret.)
Chesapeake, Oct. 15, 1995 by CNB