5 greatest Americans who never became President?

[Radical Activist]

Many historians and the public focus on Presidential history. That discourages us from more closely examining many Americans who accomplished more and were catalysts for greater change than most U.S. Presidents. Its also true that truly visionary people are normally too far ahead of the general public to ever get elected President.

I have a hard time narrowing this down to five, but here's my list.

1. Martin Luther King
2. John L. Lewis
3. William Jennings Bryan
4. Jane Addams
5. Cesar Chavez


Ask me again tomorrow and I will come up with a different list.

I'll probably get the most bewilderment with Bryan because people associate him with the Monkey-Scopes trial, so I'll defend him right away. For decades Bryan was the leader of a movement that brought tremendous positive change for the average American and much of what was enacted during the progressive/populist era and during the New Deal were partly due to his efforts. As secretary of state he helped negotiate numerous peace treaties before WW1 broke out. He was a leading and powerful voice for peace and against American imperialism. Some of his speeches about American aggression in the Philippines could have been given today about Iraq. His speeches about corporate power and corruption in politics are equally timely. I think he's far under-appreciated on the left, partly due to his poor stance on race issues.

John L. Lewis is included because he is the person most responsible, along with FDR, for the existence of a prosperous American middle class after the great depression. As founder of the CIO, which started numerous unions like CWA and UAW, he dramatically changed the nature of the American economy and daily life for the better. He was far more important to the history of the American economy than Rockefeller and Carnegie, who get much more attention in high school history books.

Who is on your list?

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Robert F. Kennedy. Based on what he COULD have done.

[Radical Activist]

13. Yeah. I'm a huge RFK fan too.

Sometimes I wonder how different America would be today if he and MLK had not been killed.

[Seabiscuit]

14. I'll second that.

[DetroitProle]

64. yeah, my first thought too n/t

[SammyWinstonJack]

72. Indeed!

:thumbsup:

[baldguy]

2. Ben Franklin?

jus' sayin'

[Radical Activist]

18. Good one.

He could easily be on there.

[texastoast]

34. The most excellent

of all.

[zulchzulu]

80. CNN reports candidate Ben Franklin has 37 illegitimate children!

Imagine that story....

[Pryderi]

92. If it hadn't been for Benjamin Franklin, we would have lost the war.

[NJ Democrats]

3. I've always thought

Ben Franklin. The only reason was he was too old.

[JohnKleeb]

4. I don't disagree with your list at all

Oh and I love John L. Lewis, my great grandfathers were miners and he is as beloved as the name Roosevelt in my grandparents home. Bryan's legacy is very important especially if you consider what he advocated as teh Boy Orator from the Plains. I'll add Walter Reuther of the United Auto Workers fame and Robert F. Kennedy to a list too. I forgot about Debs too and Franklin.

[Virginia Dare]

5. Hubert Humphrey...n/t

[Minstrel Boy]

6. It would be hard to dispute your first choice.

Chavez would be on my list, too.

My other three are Eugene V Debs, Robert F Kennedy and Mary Harris (Mother Jones).

[GrumpyGreg]

7. Eleanor Roosevelt. God,I loved her.

[SammyWinstonJack]

73. Agree! nt

[walldude]

8. Albert Einstein...

At first I thought, well, he's not really political but neither was drunken frat boy king, and since drunken frat boy king is now the dumbest President to ever live why shouldn't we have had the smartest....

[WI_DEM]

9. Hubert Humphrey, Adlai Stevenson, William J. Bryan,

Al Gore (though he could still)and Walter Mondale.

[benddem]

10. Eleanore Roosevelt?

Adlai Stevenson

[Faygo Kid]

11. RFK, MLK, John Marshall, Mother Jones, Al Gore

Just off the top of my head. Not that huge of a Gore fan, but he must be named to this list, given the alternative as to what happened. So many worthy Americans. Provocative post; thanks.

[Radical Activist]

19. John Marshall never occured to me

But that's a good choice.

[Caoimhe]

12. This guy heads the Freeper list:

[GrumpyGreg]

15. John Muir----we could use him today.

[vssmith]

16. Joe Hill N/t

[Seabiscuit]

17. RFK Jr. and JFK Jr.

[earth mom]

98. RFK Jr & JFK Jr-my top 2 also! :) eom

[JanMichael]

20. How about E.V. Debs? Also the "Great Agnostic" Robert G. Ingersoll?!

Here's Ingersoll and here's Debs!

Two of my own personal heroes.

[Radical Activist]

24. Eugene Debs is getting a lot of mentions

For good reason. He's another figure you don't read much about in High School history books. The standard historical bias in public schools is so obvious.

[Donkeykick]

21. Here is one that nobody has mentioned.

Wesley Clark.:headbang:

[SammyWinstonJack]

75. He has time yet.

[H2O Man]

22. RFK,

Malcolm X, and Oren Lyons.

[JohnKleeb]

23. Anyone wonder about Daniel Webster possibly?

I always wondered what would have happened if Webster, Henry Clay, and John Calhoun had been alive when the civil war crisis had started. I can imagine that Calhoun would have been a staunch secessionist, Clay would have done everything to avert a conflict and would compromise, and Webster would be an avid unionist. I also think Andrew Jackson despite him being a southern democrat and the hero of many southerners would have been a staunch unionist because of what he did during the nullification thing with Calhoun.

[Radical Activist]

28. He's a good one

From a few decades later, one could include William Seward, who thought he would get the nomination over Lincoln. Seward had a pretty amazing career of always standing up for the oppressed and unpopular in society including the mentally ill, immigrants, prisoners, and slaves.

[JohnKleeb]

30. Seward was more radical than Lincoln

I didn't include Clay on my list because as much as I admire what he did as a legislator averting disaster by compromise, that would have made him a terrible president but it also makes him one of the best legislators of all time. Now to be contrary, some of the most intriguing Americans to me at leat who were nver president and thank god they werent are for starters Bob Taft.

[liberal N proud]

25. Paul Wellstone?

[Radical Activist]

26. Oh yeah!

I was thinking more historical or I probably would have named him. God I wish he were still with us.

[Tom Rinaldo]

27. Ben Franklin, RFK, MLK Jr. for starters...

Then it gets murkier for me. Stevenson is possible, as is Norman Thomas. I know a woman should be on this list but a male dominated history makes it hard to raise her up high enough to be prominent enough for inclusion. Possibly Elanor Roosevelt, though I really don't like supporting a tradition of political family dynasties. Jane Addams has the same problem for me. Both these women were essential parts of Presidential teams. And of course I am more aware of people from my own lifetime. Probably some great choices slip my attention because they are too far back in our history.

[Radical Activist]

31. I think you're thinking of the wrong Addams

Jane Addams played a major role in history in her own right on a series of issues. She's another person I think is too under-represented in history, partly due to the male bias among historians.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Addams

[Tom Rinaldo]

50. You are quite right, I was.

And from glancing at the link you kindly provided, I agree.

Frederick Douglas has a strong case to be made for him also, by the way.

[Rabrrrrrr]

29. John and Patsy Ramsey; Howard Unruh; Prescot Bush; Mrs. O'Leary;

and William Haynes.

[Faygo Kid]

36. John and Patsy Ramsey. Whatever happened to them? Also, Harold Stassen?

Wow, names I had not heard of for quite a while; inspired me to suggest the most Perennial Candidate in U.S. history. The Ramseys. Geez.

[JohnKleeb]

37. John Ramsey ran for a state legilslative seat in Michigan as a republican

lost in the primary I believe though.

[Faygo Kid]

44. Yep. In the wealthy Gold Coast of NW lower Michigan. I know.

Charlevoix, as a matter of fact. Michigander through and through here. But, what ever happened since then? Even that was at least a couple of years ago.

[JohnKleeb]

47. I am from Virginia, dunno

I think they probably live in seclusion somewhere.

[mnmoderatedem]

101. Don't know about them personally but

The more that becomes known about their case, to more and more it looks like they were completely innocent in their daughters death, and that they were ruthlessly convicted by media whores. Not that that's the least bit surprising, but the extent to which it happenned was appalling...

[Rabrrrrrr]

97. You know, people, I put a lot of work into these posts.

No one comments on Howard Unruh? No comments on William Haynes? I mean, seriously.

For fuck's sake, sometimes I wonder if the labor of love is even worth the bother.

[Radical Activist]

99. Ok...

Who the hell is Howard Unruh and why did you pick him?
Happy now?

[Rabrrrrrr]

100. Howard Unruh - America's first serial killer, 1949 (I think)

William Haynes - America's first pornographer (in terms of doing any kind of real distribution beyond a small group), late 1800s.

[Rowdyboy]

32. Mo Udall, Hubert Humphrer, Horace Greeley, John Fremont, and

William Jennings Bryant.

[Radical Activist]

35. As in John C. Fremont?

The first Republican nominee for President and trailblazer of the mountain west? I have some issue with that guy.

[Faygo Kid]

39. I am with you. Not much of a general. Good explorer, though.

Lincoln dealt with Fremont as only he could. Nothing personal, but I don't think he would have made much of a president. He and his wife Jessie were a couple of characters, though.

[Radical Activist]

42. He's a very fascinating character in history

I'm not a huge fan but he had a very interesting life story.
He wrote the bad directions that got the Donner Party lost.
He also was a religious bigot against Mormons and was demoted after his cruel treatment of a battalion of Mormons placed under his command during the Mexican-American War.

[Rowdyboy]

57. Years ago I read a cheap book about the losers of American elections....

I believe it was "They Also Ran" by Irving Wallace. Consider that in 1856 Fremont ran against Buchanon, arguably one of the most ineffectual, bumbling presidents America has ever had. The author hypothesized that Fremont might have avoided civil war and found a middle ground that would have led to the abolition of slavery-far fetched, admittedly, but intriguing. I remember finding his life fascinating and his character strong. His family connections would certainly have led to an interesting presidency.

All that said, I answered quickly. I chose Greeley only because he was cheated in 1876 like Gore in 2000. Udall was my political hero as a young man and a new Democrat and Hubert Humphrey-can you imagine if Nixon had never been president?

Gene McCarthy, Adlai Stevenson, and George McGovern would all have been better choices, but at least I got a response! Thats better than most of my posts!

[JohnKleeb]

59. Uhh Rowdy

It was Samuel Tilden who got cheated in 1876, Greeley got routed by US Grant in his reelection campaign, fascinating guy though he was a founder of hte Republican Party but ran in 1872 on the ticket of the Liberal Republican Party. Which Udall are you talking about the one who ran in 1976 for president of JFK's conservation secretary, I believe the pres candiate was Mo and Stewart was JFK's interior secretary. Mark Udall a rep from Colorado is Mo's kid and Tom is Stew's kid. They're good guys that family is, my dad is aquainted with their family somehow.

[Rowdyboy]

77. Ye Gods, how could one single post contain so many inaccuracies....

I should get an award. My degree is in history and I have shamed myself and several of my professors. I knew something was "off" about my original post but couldn't figure out what it was. I did not mean to list Horace Greeley-I meant to include Samuel Tilden as one of my picks http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_J._Tilden. He was a reformer and would have been a far superior president to Hayes. Thanks for setting the record straight and calling me on my bullshit!

The Udall I mention is Morris K., the congressman from Arizona. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mo_Udall Mo was a plain-spoken, Western liberal. He was witty, charming, intelligent, radiated integrity and liked in both parties. When he ran for president in 1976, I backed him 100%. Sadly, Carter edged him out in early primaries and he never had the chance to be president.

All that said, DAMN, John, its good to hear from you! You HAVE been missed. Hope you're back to stay and we'll have plenty of chances to talk. Thanks, again, for keeping me honest on little trivia like facts etc....

[maveric]

33. RFK, Shirley Chisholm, Paul Wellstone, Adlai Stevenson, Al Gore.

Bobby Kennedy had vision and would have changed this country in the best of ways.
Thats not what the RW wants though.

[Faygo Kid]

46. Wonderful choices. Creative, too.

Forgot completely about Shirley Chisholm. Thanks for putting her up here.

[VOX]

74. Outstanding choices, maveric. n/t

[Wetzelbill]

91. wow, we share three of five picks

I swear I didn't even read yours before I made my choices either. :)

[WilliamPitt]

38. Adlai Stevenson

[long_green]

40. Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, William Seward, George Marshall...

and b/c my list is too white maley...Barbara Jordan.

[suffragette]

66. Barbara Jordan

She would have made an exceptional president.

[BooScout]

41. Michael Moore......but then he still has time to get busy....n/t

[DrDebug]

43. Ralph Yarborough

And Al Gore. Not that Al Gore would have been one of the greatest presidents, but he was the president-elect.

[Wetzelbill]

94. Ralph! nice choice nt

[SaveElmer]

45. Hubert Humphrey...hands down...

Then Robert Kennedy, followed my Walter Mondale!

[Wetzelbill]

93. not bad choices

no Paul Wellstone in there? :)

I bought "Primary" which was done in 1960 during the Wisconsin primary when HH and JFK opposed each other. Humphrey was just a great man. Truly impressive. He was before my time, but still my kind of guy. :)

Mondale is the sort of guy that makes me want to run for office. He's something else.

[Radical Activist]

48. Interesting how many people are picking Presidential candidates.

I don't know if its because they aren't reading the entire original post or if people place so much importance on the office of President, that just running for it brings someone more regard.

[Tom Rinaldo]

55. Other factors in that

One is general awareness, a lot of "publicity" comes with running for President. Another though is framing. By having sought the office of President, those who have run attempted to define the role they would personally play in providing national leadership, usually on an array of issues. Running for the Presidency requires auditioning for that level of leadership of a diverse nation. If I think of a powerful and wonderful woman like Dorothy Day, I have a hard time visualizing if she would even want the office let alone be skilled in that role. There are some obviously great Americans, like Henry David Thoreau, who I don't quite see in that role.

[Radical Activist]

63. good points. n/t

[justice1]

49. Ben Franklin and Warren Buffett

I have wanted Buffett to run for office for quite some time. He is an outspoken critic of tax breaks for the rich.

He supports a death tax of 50% on estates above 1 million dollars, to prevent power as a birth right. (Venture to guess on who he was referring too?)

He purchases and disposes nuclear weapons.

In third world countries he has contributed a substantial amount of money for birth control.

Critics paint him as being a tightwad, I see him as being practical. He doesn't own prestigious buildings with his name on them.

He does done a great deal of work with the Boys and Girls club.

He sits on the board of a small college that became a university. They were able to expand the school as well as reduce tuition rates.

This fall he is going to be a voice of an animated character to teach children about money.

[theHandpuppet]

51. Barbara Jordan, Shirley Chisholm, Eleanor Roosevelt...

Bobby Kennedy, Adlai Stevenson. There are more, but there's five for ya!

[Fiendish Thingy]

52. RFK, MLK, Ben Franklin, Barbara Jordan, Bob Dylan ;) n/t

[Radical Activist]

53. hehe

First mention for Bob Dylan. Cool

[DFW]

54. already mentioned, but here goes

Robert Kennedy
Barbara Jordan
Hubert Humphrey
Benjamin Franklin
Thoams Paine

[northzax]

56. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Alexander Hamilton
Adlai Stevenson
Al Gore


and yes, I deliberatly picked people who COULD have beomce president, and didn't. it's a different question from what was posed. cause my answers to that would be:

My mother
My grandfather
My great uncle
The guy who runs the local homeless shelter
my fifth grade teacher

[proud patriot]

58. Benjiman Franklin and *Al Gore (*elected pres. but didn't become)

[MiniMe]

60. The obvious.........Gore and Kerry

Both of whom SHOULD have been president.

[Hardrada]

61. Henry Wallace

William Tecumseh Sherman (better than Grant)
Charles Francis Adams
Thomas Alva Edison
Gaylord Nelson
Knute Rockne

[cureautismnow]

62. Phil Ochs, Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Garcia, RFK, & MLK

I can't include Zimmerman since he said, "Don't follow leaders, watch the pawking meters." :D

[rockymountaindem]

65. Alexander Hamilton tops my list

He's always struck me as being on the ball. Hubert Humphrey is another one who comes to mind, along with Gore and Kerry. All the other also-rans and non-politicos will have to write to me and explain why they deserve the lone remaining coveted slot on my list :)

[Tom Rinaldo]

67. Two more: Frederick Douglas and William O. Douglas n/t

[New Government]

68. HHH - RFK - HHH - HHH - HHH -

[Wetzelbill]

95. I'm more of a Kurt Angle guy myself

:)

[robertpaulsen]

69. MALCOLM X.

Imagine the kind of Constitutional College that President X would have convened!

[name not needed]

70. Here's my list.

1. Henry Rollins
2. Henry Rollins
3. Henry Rollins
4. Henry Rollins
5. Henry Rollins

[ghostsofgiants]

71. You forgot Henry Rollins.

Though if we're talking ex-Black Flag singers, I think President Chavo Pederast would be pretty badass.

[name not needed]

78. Actually, numbers 1 through 792 are Henry Rollins.

I just listed the top 5.

[ghostsofgiants]

82. Who is #793?

[Radical Activist]

90. All members of Oasis

[deminks]

76. RFK. Gore, Mario Cuomo, MLK,

:cry:

[zulchzulu]

79. Frank Zappa, Pete Seeger, Andy Warhol, Lucy Burns, Alice Paul...

I could go on...

[ghostsofgiants]

81. George Orwell?

[zulchzulu]

83. OK, he was a brit...I changed...

Ya gotta dig those suffragettes.

[chicofaraby]

84. Robert LaFolette

At the risk of partisan rancor, Republicans used to come in liberal flavor.

[B Calm]

85. Woody Guthrie

[JanMichael]

86. 2nd.

[Fridays Child]

87. Robert Kennedy, Al Gore, Howard Dean...

...Adlai Stevenson, and Al Smith.

[David Zephyr]

88. Ben Franklin.

My favorite founding "father".

[Wetzelbill]

89. RFK... Paul Wellstone....Jeannette Rankin...Shirley Chisholm...Crazy Horse

:)

[saltpoint]

96. Great question and compelling list, RA.

Mario Cuomo.

He's still alive and techncally could have a chance, but I don't think anyone should bet the farm on it.

Still, he was the Democrats' titan of heart and mind in 1992, and had decided to run. On the eve of the filing deadline in New Hampshire, his plane was fueling on the tarmac in Albany and he was preparing to leave for New Hampshire to announce for the presidency.

He called Bill Clinton as the plane fueled. Long conversation. At its end, Governor Cuomo signaled for the pilot and crew to shut the plane down; he was not going to New Hampshire.

I don't know what transpired in that call, but I feel a huge opportunity was missed.

I feel more than a bit cheated.

I'm a die-hard Mario Cuomo supporter.

I loved your question & this post. Thank you.

[ThomWV]

102. Al Gore .... But His Day Is Comming

Soon