Franklin D. Roosevelt: When he was elected, the country was in economic turmoil. His campaign was based on economic change. And that he did. However, he was also Commander in Chief during one of the world's largest and bloodiest wars, World War II. There was a major agenda shift from economy to defense.
Dwight D. Eisenhower: A well-respected military man, obviously ran for President flashing his war credentials. He came in after WWII, and the American public wanted someone with military experience. With the Korean War as an exception, he made major economic advancements during his Presidency. One being the Highway Act (1954?) which connected the country, and strengthened our infrastructure. Shifting his credentials and experience from defense into economic.
Lyndon B. Johnson: One of his campaign ads will go down in history as one of the muddiest and dirtiest attack ad. A little girl plucking the petals off a flower, then boom, nuclear bomb! Obviously campaigning on defense platforms, being a war-time President (Vietnam War), he won with a landslide. However, he was unable to end the war in Vietnam, but furthered the New Deal in creating the Great Society. He ran with a defense and war-time strategy, but his Presidency turned into an economic one.
Ronald Reagan: What kind of Republican would I be, if I didn't mention Ronald Reagan? He campaigned on limited government, and the concept of Reaganomics. However, he had to deal with the Challenger disaster, Iran Contra affair, and most famously the Cold War. His campaign focus was the domestic affairs, but a lot of his Presidency was focused on the international stage.
And lastly, George W. Bush: His 2000 campaign focused mainly on education and minorities. He didn't have a lot of international experience, and campaigned on domestic policies. However, with the events of 9-11, he became known as a war President.
Pattern: When the country is focused on domestic issues during a campaign: economy, health care, immigration, social issues, etc., the country is then faced with international struggles (WWII, Vietnam, Cold War). When we elect a President based on the fear of war, we face financial and internal downturns. This 2008 Presidential Campaign has turned solely to the crisis in the economy. I believe most voters are electing someone who they believe will strengthen our economy. Which makes me wonder if history will repeat itself, yet again. Will there be some generated international incident as Joe Biden warned? It seems to fit the pattern. Will we learn from history? What do you think?
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