One of the major worries of the 2008 Presidential Race revolves around Senator Hillary Clinton. People fear the idea of two "Political Dynasties" ruling this country. Since 1989, we have had George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush as our Presidents. Now, the possibility of Hillary Clinton being the next President has caused concern on both sides because many Conservatives and Liberals both agree Hillary would not have the same kind of Presidency that Bill Clinton did. When people see the name "Clinton", they think of Bill first, not Hillary. Sarah Baxter in an article on the "Times Online" said summarized it best this past Sunday:
President George H Bush was sworn into office in January 1989. If Hillary Clinton wins two elections, the Bushes and the Clintons will have been in the White House for more than a quarter of a century.
(http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article2848250.ece)
So if Hillary Clinton serves two terms as President, it would be 24 years of either a Bush or Clinton as President! This is totally unprecedented for the United States of America. Let's quickly review other Presidents who were family members:
The Roosevelts:
*Theodore Roosevelt (September 14, 1901 to March 3, 1909)
*Franklin Delano Roosevelt (March 4, 1933 to April 12, 1945)
How Related: 5th Cousins
Years apart between Presidencies: 24 years
The Harrisons:
*Benjamin Harrison (March 4, 1889 to March 3, 1893)
*William Henry Harrison (March 4, 1841 to April 4, 1841)
How Related: Grandfather (William)/Grandson (Benjamin)
Years apart between Presidencies: 48 years
The Adams'
*John Adams (March 4, 1797 to March 3, 1801)
*John Quincy Adams (March 4, 1825 to March 3, 1829)
How Related: Father (John)/Son (John Quincy)
Years apart between Presidencies: 24 years
But Father and Son Bush Presidencies are separated by 8 years! And so would Bill and Hillary's Presidencies if she was elected President. Be honest, are these four people truly the best or most qualified people be President in the last 20 years? While that is subject to opinion, everyone can pick at least one of these four people they do not like or would not vote for. I personally am troubled by this Bush-Clinton-Bush pattern. As some historians and political analysts have pointed out, it has the aura of a Political Dynasty or Political families controlling the nation. This is what happens in Europe, not the US.
One of the major reasons that our nation's Founding Fathers setup the nation via the US Constitution the way they did was to avoid any sort of monarchies or dynasties. The whole point was to avoid any sort of "King" or chosen family succession as the leader of the nation. There was still 24 years that separated the Presidencies of John Adams and his son, John Quincy. 24 years is approximately a generation (http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library/article.aspx?article=11152).
I feel the same way many in this nation do: We need "new blood" in the White House, no more "Blue Bloods" or "Heirs to the Throne". Or any more of the malarkey "It is their turn" like the Republicans did with Bob Dole in 1996 and Richard Nixon in 1960 or what the Democrats did with John Kerry in 2004 and Walter Mondale in 1984.
When people complain there are too many "Career Politicians" and "Washington Burecratic Insiders" in the US Government, Hillary Clinton is the model of what these people DO NOT want as President. Hillary Clinton has lived off the taxpayer for 31 years. Her husband, Bill, was elected Arkansas Attorney General in 1976, elected Governor of Arkansas in 1978, and elected US President in 1992. Then, as her husband's Presidency came to an end in 2000, she ran and was elected US Senator, a position which she still holds today. She has not worked or lived in a world without a Political paycheck to live off of in 31 years. Is she really who we want in the Presidency? Someone who cannot truly identify with the every day American? Do we want another Clinton like we have already spent the last 7 years with a second Bush?
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