Talk Elections

General Discussion => Alternative History => Topic started by: hawkeye59 on February 02, 2010, 07:58:22 AM



Title: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: hawkeye59 on February 02, 2010, 07:58:22 AM
Who were the best presidents that never were? I'd say Robert La Follette, Robert F. Kennnedy, Edward M. Kennedy, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Clay, Paul Wellstone, Mario Cuomo, Al Gore, Eugene V. Debs, and Mo Udall. There's more, but that's all I'll say.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Dancing with Myself on February 02, 2010, 11:47:39 AM
John Mccain, and Jerry Brown come to my mind.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: JSojourner on February 02, 2010, 05:42:36 PM
Paul Wellstone*, Paul Tsongas, Eugene McCarthy, Hubert H. Humphrey, Ed Muskie, Mark Hatfield*, Frank Church, Jacob Javits* and yes...forgive me...John Kerry.

I'm on the fence about what sort of President Bill Bradley would have made. 





(*non-candidates who generated some buzz, but never ran.)


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Bo on February 02, 2010, 06:00:48 PM
Samuel Tilden, Charles Evans Hughes, Hubert Humphrey, Hugh Carey, and Nelson Rockefeller all come to mind. I think that Gore would have made an OK President, but not a great President.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Kaine for Senate '18 on February 02, 2010, 06:29:13 PM
Hubert Humphrey, Scoop Jackson, Bobby and Teddy Kennedy, and Al Gore come to mind.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: ARescan on February 02, 2010, 08:24:22 PM
I'll just go with some older candidates.

John C. Fremont(over Buchanan), Henry Clay, William H. Harrison(He did win the election, but...), and Winfield Scott.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl on February 02, 2010, 08:26:31 PM
Alton Parker, John Palmer, Alfred E. Smith, Robert A. Taft, Eugene J. McCarthy, R. Sargent Shriver, George S. McGovern, Patrick J. Buchanan, Ronald E. Paul


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Sewer on February 02, 2010, 08:34:04 PM

yes your not a racist ::)


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl on February 02, 2010, 08:34:45 PM

Yes, I know I'm not a racist. Don't mess up hawkeye's thread now.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Sewer on February 02, 2010, 08:38:04 PM

uh huh  http://www.realchange.org/buchanan.htm


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Deldem on February 02, 2010, 09:47:59 PM
Henry Clay and RFK are the first that come to mind.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: CatoMinor on February 02, 2010, 10:58:59 PM
Robert taft, Bobby Kennedy, Henry Clay, Ross Perot, and Ron Paul.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: ARescan on February 02, 2010, 11:10:48 PM
I started a Clay trend. :D


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: KuntaKinte on February 02, 2010, 11:53:38 PM

Eugene Debs


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: k-onmmunist on February 03, 2010, 06:35:18 AM
Ron Paul


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Grumpier Than Uncle Joe on February 03, 2010, 12:00:25 PM
Jack Kemp, Tom Ridge, RFK, Buchanan, Cheney


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Jensen on February 03, 2010, 01:54:10 PM
Robert Taft
Charles Hughes
Thomas Dewey
Henry Clay
Nelson Rockefeller


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: J. J. on February 03, 2010, 02:13:10 PM
Stuart Symington

Thomas Dewey

Daniel Webster

Samuel J. Tilden

Richard B. Cheney

Jack Kemp

Tom Ridge

Winfield Scott

Winfield Scott Hancock


Edit:  Gary Hart


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Bo on February 03, 2010, 06:20:19 PM
Richard B. Cheney
Jack Kemp
Tom Ridge

No. Just no.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Psychic Octopus on February 03, 2010, 06:42:26 PM
Theodore Roosevelt (1912)
Charles Evans Hughes (1916)
Wendell Willkie (1940)
Richard Nixon (1960)
Gary Hart (1988)


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: J. J. on February 03, 2010, 07:08:30 PM

Cheney on domestic policy would have been refreshing.  Kemp was phenomenal.  Ridge was a great governor, much better than Fast Eddie.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Bo on February 03, 2010, 07:48:26 PM

Cheney on domestic policy would have been refreshing.  Kemp was phenomenal.  Ridge was a great governor, much better than Fast Eddie.

They were all in favor of the rich at the expense of screwing ordinary Americans. BTW, you never finished responding to my Unusual Deaths thread.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: segwaystyle2012 on February 03, 2010, 07:49:28 PM
Bob Taft


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: segwaystyle2012 on February 03, 2010, 07:50:13 PM

Cheney on domestic policy would have been refreshing.  Kemp was phenomenal.  Ridge was a great governor, much better than Fast Eddie.

They were all in favor of the rich at the expense of screwing ordinary Americans. BTW, you never finished responding to my Unusual Deaths thread.

Ever get tired of serving the same useless, false talking points?


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: ARescan on February 03, 2010, 08:22:44 PM
Forgot one.

John Hancock- Was one of the candidates to command the Army during the Revolution and in victory would have likely gained the same fame as Washington did and would have been elected as the first President of the United States.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: jokerman on February 04, 2010, 01:59:50 AM
I have some actual Presidents, but I'm taking this to mean greatest "administrations" that never happened.

Aaron Burr in 1800
Millard Fillmore in 1856
Horace Greeley in 1872
Jimmy Carter in 1980
Al Gore in 2000



Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: J. J. on February 04, 2010, 11:03:51 PM

Cheney on domestic policy would have been refreshing.  Kemp was phenomenal.  Ridge was a great governor, much better than Fast Eddie.

They were all in favor of the rich at the expense of screwing ordinary Americans. BTW, you never finished responding to my Unusual Deaths thread.

Probably because I hadn't checked it.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: LastMcGovernite on February 06, 2010, 01:22:02 PM
Paul Wellstone*, Paul Tsongas, Eugene McCarthy, Hubert H. Humphrey, Ed Muskie, Mark Hatfield*, Frank Church, Jacob Javits* and yes...forgive me...John Kerry.



As usual, I find myself in agreement with JSojo, but I might add George McGovern, Mo Udall, and George Romney.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: perdedor on February 08, 2010, 05:47:11 PM
George McGovern, John Kerry, James G. Blaine.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Vepres on February 08, 2010, 06:09:51 PM
John McCain of 2000
Gerald Ford*
Hubert Humphrey
Thomas Dewey
Nelson Rockefeller
Ross Perot
William Jennings Bryan


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: hawkeye59 on February 08, 2010, 06:11:31 PM
Ford doesn't count, as he was president.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Bo on February 08, 2010, 07:48:35 PM
Ford doesn't count, as he was president.

Maybe he meant at a different time? For instance, maybe he believed Ford would have done a good job in his second term (1977-1981), which Ford never got in RL.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: hawkeye59 on February 08, 2010, 07:55:27 PM
I know, but it still doesn't count because he, at one point, was president,


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: KeeptheChange on February 09, 2010, 12:53:34 PM
Barry Goldwater, for sure. Maybe Curt LeMay. Possibly Harry Byrd.  At least, he has some good ideas on spending.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Max Electric on February 09, 2010, 04:30:53 PM
Colin Powell, Paul Tsongas, Daniel Webster, Howard Baker, Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr., Henry Clay, John McCain (2000 variety), Thomas Dewey


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: CPT MikeyMike on February 09, 2010, 05:36:12 PM
Tom Dewey
Jack Kemp
Bob Dole
Henry Cabot Lodge
Howard Baker
John McCain


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Bo on February 11, 2010, 09:58:39 PM
Tom Dewey
Jack Kemp
Bob Dole
Henry Cabot Lodge
Howard Baker
John McCain

Yes, No, No, No, No, No


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: James Rivington on February 11, 2010, 10:03:20 PM
George McGovern (D- SD)
Henry Wallace (D- IO)
Eugene Debs (D- IN)
Eugene McCarthy (D- MN)
James Weaver (P- IO)


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Bo on February 11, 2010, 10:04:48 PM
George McGovern (D- SD)
Henry Wallace (D- IO)
Eugene Debs (D- IN)
Eugene McCarthy (D- MN)
James Weaver (P- IO)

Maybe, No, Maybe, Maybe, Maybe


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Sewer on February 11, 2010, 11:41:54 PM
George McGovern (D- SD)
Henry Wallace (D- IO)
Eugene Debs (D- IN)
Eugene McCarthy (D- MN)
James Weaver (P- IO)

I like you.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: CatoMinor on February 12, 2010, 12:28:50 AM
George McGovern (D- SD)
Henry Wallace (D- IO)
Eugene Debs (D- IN)
Eugene McCarthy (D- MN)
James Weaver (P- IO)
IO? Weaver and Wallace are from Jupiters moon?


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl on February 12, 2010, 12:58:07 AM
George McGovern (D- SD)
Henry Wallace (D- IO)
Eugene Debs (D- IN)
Eugene McCarthy (I- MN)
James Weaver (P- IO)


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Phony Moderate on February 12, 2010, 01:21:20 AM
Henry Wallace, Eugene Debs, Robert F. Kennedy, Eugene McCarthy, Martin Luther King, George McGovern, Ted Kennedy, Al Gore, Howard Dean, Dennis Kucinich, Ralph Nader, Mike Gravel, Russ Feingold, Bernie Sanders, Barbara Boxer.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: rebeltarian on February 12, 2010, 02:24:25 PM
Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich, Pete Wilson, Robert Kennedy, Pat Brown, Robert Taft, Tom Dewey


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: 🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸 on February 13, 2010, 09:05:46 PM
Gouvernor Morris
Daniel Webster
James Garfield (yeah i know but he died so soon)
Al Smith
Henry Cabot Lodge Jr
George Romney
Jack Kemp
Richard Lugar
John McCain
Chuck Hagel (maybe VP instead of Cheney)




Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Magic 8-Ball on February 17, 2010, 01:22:32 AM
Clay, Webster, Dewey, Hart, Tsongas, Baker, Hughes, Rockefeller, Muskie


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Bo on June 01, 2010, 05:46:49 PM
I'd add Gary Hart, Henry Clay, Edmund Muskie, and Tom Dewey.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: justW353 on June 01, 2010, 08:32:46 PM
Thomas Dewey
Daniel Webster
John McCain (2000)
Robert F. Kennedy
Robert Taft
Colin Powell
Charles Hughes
Al Smith

Maybe Adlai Stevenson


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: tmthforu94 on June 01, 2010, 09:06:29 PM
George Romney
Adlai Stevenson
John Breckinridge


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: pbrower2a on June 01, 2010, 09:41:48 PM
Alexander Hamilton

Henry Clay

John Fremont

George Romney

Robert F. Kennedy

Jack Kemp

Richard Lugar





Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: tarheel-leftist85 on June 02, 2010, 01:58:03 AM
William Jennings Bryan
Huey P. Long
Ralph Nader
Cynthia McKinney
Hillary Rodham Clinton
John R. Edwards


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: !@#$%^&* on June 02, 2010, 02:57:25 AM
Barry Goldwater
Bob Dole
Pat Buchanan


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: useful idiot on June 02, 2010, 11:12:53 AM
Sargent Shriver
Howard Dean
Eugene McCarthy
George McGovern
Colin Powell
William Jennings Bryan
Al Smith
Robert LaFollette

If we're going to get into candidates that had no shot then I'll throw in Pat Buchanan, Nader, and Paul.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: The Mikado on June 02, 2010, 11:21:37 AM

I sure hope you don't think you can just drop that and not defend it.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Psychic Octopus on June 02, 2010, 12:46:12 PM
George Romney
Adlai Stevenson
John Breckinridge

Why?


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Inmate Trump on June 03, 2010, 10:12:52 AM
John McCain
Hillary Clinton
Al Gore


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: cpeeks on June 03, 2010, 10:04:38 PM
Easy, George Wallace


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Bo on June 04, 2010, 11:27:01 PM

He was a massive racist and segregationist (until he got shot, when he suddenly had an epiphany). I wouldn't call that a great President.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: LBJ Revivalist on June 04, 2010, 11:39:06 PM
Alexander Hamilton

Thomas Dewey (Not in 1944, he would've been a horrible WWII president, but in 1948. Maybe he should've won.)

Douglas MacArthur, perhaps in 1956. I say 1956 because I like Ike and think he did a great job during his first term, but that he shouldn't have had a second term and that time might've tempered Douglas' ego and impetuousness. Outside of military issues, I've read he was rather moderate.

Richard Nixon (in 1960). While Kennedy did add a great sense of spirit and optimism to the nation, perhaps the Cuban Missile Crisis could've been averted under a 1961-1965/1969 Nixon term and maybe we might not have gone to Vietnam.

George McGovern (in 1972) While some of McGovern's economic and social ideas were good, his Vietnam policy might've been a disaster. Considering though what the re-election of Nixon, though I like him, put us through with Watergate, McGovern might've been the better candidate with the benefit of hindsight. Nixon would've left the political arena in 1973 with an intact and great political career, as well. If I lived in 1972 I'd have voted for Nixon though.

Gerald Ford (should've won in 1976). While 1976 was not a great year on either the Dem or Republican side, I think we can safely say he probably would've done a better job than Carter. I do wish however that he would've picked Reagan as his running mate instead of Dole in '76. Ford and Reagan would've made a good team (Reagan thought so too as he offered to make Ford his VP in 1980). If Ford did a good job, Reagan might've been a shoe in for '80 anyway and we could've avoided the Carter embarrassment. However Carter does deserve credit for re-igniting the Cold War.

William H. Taft (1916); He was the best out of several mediocre to poor candidates). He might not have gotten us involved in WWI and promoted the League of Nations, and he could've perhaps undone some of Wilson's racist policies. He doesn't seem to have been as demented or as self righteous as Wilson. I think Wilson had a messiah complex.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: cpeeks on June 06, 2010, 04:09:43 AM
Obviously you know nothing about Wallace, when he first ran for governor he was a racial moderate and was endorsed by the naacp, his opponent was endorsed by the Klan, and Wallace got hammered. When he went to his headquarters he stepped out of his lincoln lit a cigar  and said "well boys ill never be out n*****ed again, and 4 years later he became segragationist. Wallace was just a poltician who said what he needed to say. He was a populist who improved the lives of all alabamians, and one have been an awesome president.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: cpeeks on June 06, 2010, 04:11:16 AM
Lol Dewey would have taken office in January 1945, I am pretty sure WWII, was no longer in doubt at that time.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Derek on June 10, 2010, 10:43:45 AM
I like this thread.

Newt Gingrich
Alexander Hamilton
Henry Clay
John C. Calhoun
John McCain
Bob Dole


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: justW353 on June 13, 2010, 12:27:12 AM
I like this thread.

Newt Gingrich - Intelligent, but not Presidential; too partisan
Alexander Hamilton - Yes
Henry Clay - Yes
John C. Calhoun - A charismatic man and a great politician, but a horrible person
John McCain - 2000 version only
Bob Dole - lolno


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Derek on June 13, 2010, 10:16:05 PM
My favorites who never were are McCain and Goldwater- not surprisingly.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: cpeeks on June 15, 2010, 02:47:02 AM
My favorites who never were are McCain and Goldwater- not surprisingly.

Mccain in 2000, even though I voted for him in 2008 he had already lost touch with reality, lol "The fundamentals of our economy are strong." WOW


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: President Mitt on June 15, 2010, 09:52:02 AM

srsly?


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: hawkeye59 on June 15, 2010, 01:45:31 PM
I like this thread.

Newt Gingrich - Intelligent, but not Presidential; too partisan
Alexander Hamilton - Yes
Henry Clay - Yes
John C. Calhoun - A charismatic man and a great politician, but a horrible person
John McCain - 2000 version only
Bob Dole - lolno


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Bo on June 15, 2010, 01:51:43 PM
I like this thread.

Newt Gingrich - Intelligent, but not Presidential; too partisan
Alexander Hamilton - Yes
Henry Clay - Yes
John C. Calhoun - A charismatic man and a great politician, but a horrible person
John McCain - 2000 version only
Bob Dole - lolno

That was really unnecessary.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: President Mitt on June 15, 2010, 02:55:50 PM
I like this thread.

Newt Gingrich - Intelligent, but not Presidential; too partisan
Alexander Hamilton - Yes
Henry Clay - Yes
John C. Calhoun - A charismatic man and a great politician, but a horrible person
John McCain - 2000 version only
Bob Dole - lolno

That was really unnecessary.

()


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Bo on June 15, 2010, 04:05:51 PM
I like this thread.

Newt Gingrich - Intelligent, but not Presidential; too partisan
Alexander Hamilton - Yes
Henry Clay - Yes
John C. Calhoun - A charismatic man and a great politician, but a horrible person
John McCain - 2000 version only
Bob Dole - lolno

That was really unnecessary.

()

Never heard of it.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Kaine for Senate '18 on June 18, 2010, 11:02:25 PM
Hubert Humphrey, Scoop Jackson, Bobby and Teddy Kennedy, and Al Gore come to mind.

Plus John Warner, Alben Barkley, Henry Clay, and William Jennings Bryan.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Bo on June 20, 2010, 03:35:11 PM
Hubert Humphrey, Scoop Jackson, Bobby and Teddy Kennedy, and Al Gore come to mind.

Plus John Warner, Alben Barkley, Henry Clay, and William Jennings Bryan.

HHH-Yes
Jackson-Yes
Bobby and Ted Kennedy-Not really
Gore-No
John Warner-Heck No
Barkley-Possibly
Clay-Possibly
Bryan-Only the 1908 version


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: President Mitt on June 21, 2010, 11:45:49 AM
I like this thread.

Newt Gingrich - Intelligent, but not Presidential; too partisan
Alexander Hamilton - Yes
Henry Clay - Yes
John C. Calhoun - A charismatic man and a great politician, but a horrible person
John McCain - 2000 version only
Bob Dole - lolno

That was really unnecessary.

()

Never heard of it.

lol


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: hawkeye59 on June 22, 2010, 12:27:06 PM
CURRENT RESULTS
Clay 11
Dewey 11
RFK 10
HHH 7
McCain, McCarthy, McGovern, Robert A. Taft, Jack Kemp 6
Gore, Dole, Paul, Hughes, Goldwater,Webster, 5
Rocky, Debs, Gary Hart, Pat Buchanan, W.J. Bryan, 4
Nader, Powell, A. Stevenson, Al Smith, George Romney, Tsongas, Howard Baker, Tilden, Tom Ridge, H.C. Lodge,  Edward M. Kennedy 3
I'm probably off a bit, but I'm pretty sure.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Ameriplan on August 13, 2010, 04:48:05 AM
Al Smith.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Ameriplan on August 13, 2010, 04:48:47 AM
I like this thread.

Newt Gingrich - Intelligent, but not Presidential; too partisan
Alexander Hamilton - Yes
Henry Clay - Yes
John C. Calhoun - A charismatic man and a great politician, but a horrible person
John McCain - 2000 version only
Bob Dole - lolno

That was really unnecessary.

()

Possibly my favorite Billy Joel album of all time.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: feeblepizza on August 14, 2010, 01:02:06 AM
Dick Cheney
Henry Clay
Bob Dole
John McCain
William Henry Harrison (he spent his entire presidency slowly dying, so I don't count him)
Ron Paul
Mike Gravel


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: hawkeye59 on August 14, 2010, 02:27:57 PM
Clay takes the lead!


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: tpfkaw on August 14, 2010, 07:31:24 PM
Myself, although I still have time to change that.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Marokai Backbeat on August 14, 2010, 08:17:14 PM
James Weaver, James Weaver, James Weaver, James Weaver. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_B._Weaver)


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Dr. Cynic on August 31, 2010, 09:34:26 PM
I can't remember if I answered already or not. In case I haven't...

Hubert Humphrey, Henry Clay, Mo Udall, Paul Simon, Robert Kennedy and Adlai Stevenson were all missed oppertunities for this country.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: hawkeye59 on September 11, 2010, 06:39:54 PM
bump.
Revised List:
Henry Clay, Robert Francis Kennedy, Mo Udall, Paul Simon, Fred Harris, Birch Bayh, Mario Cuomo, Al Gore, Hubert Horatio Humphrey, Ted Kennedy, Daniel Webster, Frank Church, Ed Muskie, Paul Wellstone, Walter Mondale, Robert M. La Follette, Sr.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: FEMA Camp Administrator on October 13, 2010, 08:10:09 PM
Barry Goldwater, Henry M Jackson, George Romney, Robert Taft (too bad we had the Cold War and WWII, or he would have been great), Bob Dole, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Jerry Brown, John Connally (despite the fact that he moved us away from the Gold Standard), Al Smith, Robert F Kennedy. There are probably more.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Dancing with Myself on April 28, 2011, 04:21:44 PM
Wendell Willkie. He would have been an awesome president


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: FEMA Camp Administrator on April 28, 2011, 06:36:03 PM
Wendell Willkie. He would have been an awesome president

He was a Democrat that switched parties because of FDR's hostility to business. He and Landon couldn't really make distinguishable differences between themselves and the Democrats.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: feeblepizza on April 28, 2011, 08:34:59 PM
Tons of people


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Oswald Acted Alone, You Kook on April 30, 2011, 10:07:03 PM
Benjamin Franklin.

Yes, he was ancient by the time the presidentcy was established, but he would have been good at it.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Elyski on May 01, 2011, 07:44:30 PM
Every candidate who did not make it past the primaries or is named Ross Perot.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: The Dowager Mod on May 02, 2011, 12:59:51 PM
Henry Clay, William Jennings Bryan and Eugene Debs.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: MAINEiac4434 on May 20, 2011, 12:21:16 PM
Edmund Muskie, Ted and Bobby Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey, Norman Thomas, Eugene Debs, Henry Clay, George Mitchell, Mark Hatfield, Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, John C. Fremont, James G. Blaine, Howard Dean, John Kerry and Mo Udall.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Paul Kemp on May 30, 2011, 05:12:38 PM
Colin Powell
Howard Baker
Nelson Rockefeller
RFK
John McCain v2000


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: MyRescueKittehRocks on May 30, 2011, 05:43:36 PM
Goldwater, Robert Taft, RFK, Elihu Root,                                   
Arthur Vandenberg, Pierre DuPont IV

Re: Ron Paul

Though I'm a supporter I will not add him to this list till he sheds this mortal coil and touches the face of God. 


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Atlas Has Shrugged on May 30, 2011, 07:51:10 PM
Goldwater, Robert Taft, RFK, Elihu Root,                                   
Arthur Vandenberg, Pierre DuPont IV

Re: Ron Paul

Though I'm a supporter I will not add him to this list till he sheds this mortal coil and touches the face of God. 

^
With the additions of Alton Parker and Charles E. Hughes.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Liberté on June 01, 2011, 11:19:57 AM
I'm including never-rans in my list as well as might-have-beens.

Republicans

Gerald Nye
Henry Cabot Lodge
Charles Wayland Brooks
Rufus C. Holman
William Borah
Robert Taft

Democrats

George McGovern
Eugene McCarthy
Guy M. Gillette
Burton Wheeler
Robert F. Kennedy


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Phony Moderate on June 01, 2011, 02:21:23 PM
Democrats:

Edward M. Kennedy
Robert F. Kennedy
George McGovern
Eugene McCarthy
Wayne Morse

Republicans:

Robert M. La Follette Sr.
Mark Hatfield

Independents/Third Parties:

Eugene V. Debs


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Del Tachi on June 01, 2011, 03:14:20 PM
Margaret Chase Smith


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: big bad fab on June 01, 2011, 04:57:12 PM
Tilden, George McClellan, McArthur, Gary Hart, McCain would all have been "kewl" in a way... ;D
And Patton would have been so fun !


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: CitizenX on June 02, 2011, 07:32:33 PM
Democrats

Robert Kennedy
Hilary Clinton

Republicans

McCain, millennium version not the reboot (I hate sequels)
Colin Powell


Other

Bloomberg (Can't believe this one hasn't come up yet)


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: They put it to a vote and they just kept lying on June 06, 2011, 08:50:27 AM
Bobby Kennedy and Barry Goldwater.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Peter the Lefty on August 08, 2012, 10:08:31 AM
If we can include people that never ran but should've, it would be: Eugene V. Debs, Norman Thomas, Robert M. La Follette, Henry A. Wallace, Wayne Morse, George McGovern, Ralph Nader, Paul Wellstone, Bernie Sanders, Hiram Johnson, and Barry Commoner.  Not necessarily in that order.  (though for me, Debs would still top the list). 


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Rhodie on August 08, 2012, 10:19:40 AM
Al Smith and Jack Kemp


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: TNF on August 08, 2012, 01:16:45 PM
Henry Clay, Adlai Stevenson, Hubert Humphrey.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Mikestone8 on August 15, 2012, 01:14:38 AM
If we can include people that never ran but should've, it would be: Eugene V. Debs, Norman Thomas, Robert M. La Follette, Henry A. Wallace, Wayne Morse, George McGovern, Ralph Nader, Paul Wellstone, Bernie Sanders, Hiram Johnson, and Barry Commoner.  Not necessarily in that order.  (though for me, Debs would still top the list). 


Er, McGovern did run.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Snowstalker Mk. II on August 15, 2012, 11:48:39 AM
Nearly all of them ran at some point.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Peter the Lefty on October 09, 2012, 04:55:26 PM
If we can include people that never ran but should've, it would be: Eugene V. Debs, Norman Thomas, Robert M. La Follette, Henry A. Wallace, Wayne Morse, George McGovern, Ralph Nader, Paul Wellstone, Bernie Sanders, Hiram Johnson, and Barry Commoner.  Not necessarily in that order.  (though for me, Debs would still top the list). 


Er, McGovern did run.
I didn't say that the list didn't include people who didn't run.  Though actually, I have some revisions to make for the list. The new and improved version:
Top 5 best Presidents that never were: Eugene V. Debs, Robert La Follette, Bobby Kennedy, Bernie Sanders, George McGovern.  (haven't figured out the order yet, and it's possible that I never will)

Honorable mentions: Norman Thomas, Ralph Nader, Paul Wellstone. 


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: 後援会 on October 10, 2012, 03:43:51 AM
Al Smith
Wendell Wilkie
Pete DuPont
Paul Tsongas


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: frihetsivrare on October 10, 2012, 06:38:49 PM
Barry Goldwater, Eugene McCarthy, George McGovern, Ron Paul


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Dereich on October 10, 2012, 10:25:29 PM
William Jennings Bryan. So much. Henry Clay and Colin Powell too. I'd be interested to see a MacArthur presidency. Oh, and Ross Perot wouldn't be a great president but he'd be a hilarious one.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: Peter the Lefty on October 28, 2012, 09:08:26 PM
Oh, and some additions that just occurred to me:
Eleanor Roosevelt
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Abraham Ribicoff
Fredrick Douglass
Lyman Trumbull



Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: MASHED POTATOES. VOTE! on October 31, 2012, 05:34:10 PM
As much as I admire McGovern (I'd gladly vote for him), I doubt he'd be a good President.

George was great as a legislator and as a spokesman for ideas. I don't see him as an executive type. Truth be told, he was just too good man to be President.


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: MATTROSE94 on November 10, 2012, 06:08:05 PM
Democrats
William Jennings Bryan
James Cox
Al Smith
Adlai Stevenson (maybe)
Estes Kefauver
Wayne Morse
Eugene McCarthy
Robert Kennedy
Hubert Humphrey
George McGovern (maybe)
Edmund Muskie
Frank Church
Ted Kennedy (maybe)
Jerry Brown (maybe)
Paul Tsongas
Lloyd Bentsen
Paul Wellstone
Al Gore Jr.
Howard Dean

Republicans
Henry Cabot Lodge Sr.
Hiram Johnson
Charles Evans Hughes
Wendell Wilkie
Thomas Dewey
Robert Taft
Richard Nixon (1960 version)
Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. (maybe)
Margaret Chase Smith
Jacob Javits
Barry Goldwater
Nelson Rockefeller
George Romney (maybe)
Mark Hatfield
Howard Baker
John Anderson
Bob Dole (maybe)
Jack Kemp (maybe)
Colin Powell
Ron Paul (maybe)
Jon Huntsman


Title: Re: Greatest Presidents that never were
Post by: MadmanMotley on February 05, 2013, 08:29:59 PM
Ron Paul (though he still COULD be president, I find it unlikely. Also I'm not adding Rand to the list because he's still young.)
Barry Goldwater
George Romney
Ross Perot
Dan Quayle (had he not been Bush's VP)
Robert Kennedy
Paul Laxalt
Howard Baker