[Dilbert San Diego]

The American people have always supported only a candidate who has won elective office previously?

What about President Eisenhower?

He was before my time, but I wonder if any back then said Ike was unqualified and lacked experience. I would think that anyone who had executive management experience such as Ike, who planned and executed the Normandy invasion, was well qualified to sit in the Oval Office.

[Ouderkirk]

I’m not dis’ing Herman Cain. I like him.

My point was that support for a person does not necessarily translate into a votes.

I welcome all comers into the race. The more the merrier. Palin, Bachmann, Paul, Gingrich, Trump, Pawlenty, Daniels and anyone else who thinks they would want to run...except Willard Romney, he needs to sit down and STFU.

[ichabod1]

I don't know the answer to your question about Ike either. My guess is that it

was

brought up. The thing about Ike though, is that being the ultimate war hero, with a reputation for being a politician in holding the alliance together made him untouchable. If you weren't for Ike you were probably unpatriotic. If that reminds you of the food stamp president, in a grotesque way, it probably should.

Difference: Ike turned out to be a pretty good president. After all, HIS credentials were valid and his skills very applicable to the presidency. Osama doesn't have a clue how to run jack squat, and neither does anyone around him.

If David Petreus were willing to make the penultimate sacrifice and make a run for it, he would probably do very well. He's no Ike, but he's made a reputation for success that Americans would be attracted to. Moreover, he has a nice smile and doesn't look too hardcore, like McChrystal does and he knows how not to put his foot in his mouth.

[Ole Okie]

I would think that anyone who had executive management experience such as Ike, who planned and executed the Normandy invasion, was well qualified to sit in the Oval Office.

Pretty much the majority of the country felt that way. He had borne responsibilities such as few men would ever experience. "I like Ike" was more than just a slogan.