Historian Michael Beschloss posted this on Twitter.
Ulysses Grant died today 1885--here a few weeks before the end, completing his memoirs: #LOC pic.twitter.com/qOG2sBivxR— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) July 23, 2016
That set me to thinking...and tweeting:
[Grant] was, in many ways, a remarkable man, but ill-suited for the presidency.
Of course, that begs question, what suits someone for president?
I feel previous elective office is less a predictor than are temperament, character, leadership record, [and] a willingness to compromise.
Washington, with little elective political experience; Lincoln, with much; FDR, with much; and Eisenhower, with none, stand out among our presidents to me.
Only FDR had been a "successful" pol before taking office. All had successful, significant presidencies.
The one trait they all shared is temperament. Washington & Eisenhower overcame/channeled volcanic tempers to be nearly perfect leaders, Lincoln overcame much and chose his way to a leaders' temperament; FDR had, as Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "a second class intellect, but a first class temperament."
I'm not sure having an even temperament or self-control matters to voters in these zero-sum days.
