The Role of Former Presidents
An AP story about the decision of President Bush not to accept President Obama's invitation to attend the 9/11 ceremony in New York featured this:
Presidential experts say deference among most former presidents is an unwritten rule.
"In terms of having a lot of sound bite quotes about their successors, I just haven't seen that," said Dennis Simon, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University. "I think it demonstrates an appreciation for what it's like to be in that office. It's your time now. I understand what you're coming through because I've gone through that myself."
Given the loquaciousness of two men named Carter and Clinton, I believe the story should have read, Presidential experts say deference among most former Republican presidents is an unwritten rule.
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Jul '10
Re: The Role of Former Presidents
"In terms of having a lot of sound bite quotes about their successors, I just haven't seen that," said Dennis Simon... "
Right, because You can't see sound bites. You have to listen.
Re: The Role of Former Presidents
"Given the loquaciousness of two men named Carter and Clinton, I believe the story should have read,Presidential experts say deference among most former Republican presidents is an unwritten rule."
Beautiful.
Aug '10
Re: The Role of Former Presidents
Sort of rounds out the concept of southern dark horse doesn't it ?
Dec '10
Re: The Role of Former Presidents
When you know that you are the Smartest Man in the World, you know that observing such unwritten rules is not only beneath you, it's actually a sin -- because to deprive the world of your unparalleled wisdom, to leave it to the inferior capabilities of your successors, is unconscionable.
Dec '10
Re: The Role of Former Presidents
In past decade, the GWB years, the Dems rewrote the book of previously accepted "unwritten" rules. These include, but are not limited to, the "unwritten" rules governing the behavior of ex-Presidents and the behavior of the "loyal" opposition regarding foreign policy.
To date the Dems have politically benefited, enormously, from these unilaterally defined new rules. Idealists on the right may think that in the long run the Dems will pay a price for these rules changes, and try to carry on as if the previous rules will prevail. However, political power in a universal suffrage democracy is all about the present and the immediate future, not the long run.
The right has a tendency to self-impose "unwritten" rules the left ignores. The sooner the right realizes there are no "unwritten" rules the better off we will be.
Apr '11
Re: The Role of Former Presidents
I like the rule. I reflects a lot of class. But I don't think it is as long-standing or deep as people seem to think.
Of the 43 people who are/were former presidents, eight died in office and could not possibly criticize their successors. Wilson left office essentially incapacitated.
Four former presidents ran for the presidency again on a national ticket after some time out of office: Van Buren, Fillmore, Cleveland and Theodore Roosevelt. Cleveland and Roosevelt ran against incumbents.
John Quincy Adams served 17 years in the House as a former president. The feisty enemy of "Slave Power" was probably not very deferential (but probably the greatest "former president".)
And one former president, John Tyler, was elected to office in the Confederacy, which says more about his thoughts on Lincoln than any "sound bite" could.
Throw in Clinton and Carter and we're up to 17 out of 42, and that's without doing any serious research. One wonders how high that number might get with a little digging.
Oct '10
Re: The Role of Former Presidents
My question is, how can Dennis Simon have any credibility in the future after saying something so obtuse and demonstrably false? How could anyone take his observations seriously anymore? Who would be confident of learning anything in his class? (ok, so that's 3 questions)
Re: The Role of Former Presidents
I was in an Oval Office meeting late in President Bush's second term where an aide brought up President Carter's latest unsolicited trip abroad, one marked by his characteristic "blame America first" style (memory fails me as to which country the former president was in).
President Bush sat behind the Resolute Desk, reading glasses down his nose. Without looking up from the speech that he was reviewing, he sighed, "Jimmy Carter ... (long, pregnant pause) ... if I ever turn into an ex-president like that, I want you to have me shot."
Edited on May 6, 2011 at 5:29amMay '10
Re: The Role of Former Presidents
I can't imagine the measure of humility required to remain out of the public eye after being the most powerful man in the world.
We're blessed to have not had a Caesar.
Sep '10
Re: The Role of Former Presidents
Aaron Miller: I can't imagine the measure of humility required to remain out of the public eye after being the most powerful man in the world.
We're blessed to have not had a Caesar. ยท May 5 at 9:15pm
We did, but Wilson was incapacitated by a stroke and slipped from office and in his fourth term FDR died.
Edited on May 6, 2011 at 6:34amAug '10
Re: The Role of Former Presidents
Why the qualification? Who was the last Republican former President not to abide by the rule (other than those seeking a return to office)?
Mar '11
Re: The Role of Former Presidents
President Bush II is class, personified. Mr Obama II is classless.
May '10
Re: The Role of Former Presidents
Demaratus
We did, but Wilson was incapacitated by a stroke and slipped from office and in his fourth term FDR died.
To be honest, I had forgotten FDR died in office. He was certainly the closest we ever came to a dictator. Obama is similar in many ways, but thankfully not as clever.
Sep '10
Re: The Role of Former Presidents
Just wait till Obama becomes an ex-President/Community Organizer. He's may well make us long for the days of Carter and Clinton.