White House Counselor Dan Bartlett today said "there is a long list of wartime presidents who served ably without military experience."
So who was he referring to. George Washington? Nope, he lead the American army in the revolutionary war.
Andrew Jackson? Sorry, he had a long distinguished military career culminating in the victory over the British in the Battle of New Orleans. And G.W. "spend money like Paris Hilton" Bush should never be compared with President Jackson - the one president to pay off the national debt.
Abraham Lincoln? Nope, wrong again. Lincoln fought in close combat in the Black Hawk war. He also came under fire when visiting the fortifications around Washington when Lee's army approached - making him possible the only person to be in combat as president.
Theodore Roosevelt? He didn't just charge up San Juan Hill in the midst of murderous fire, but also fought in close combat throughout Puerto Rico.
FDR? It's true FDR did not fight. He was secretary of the Navy in WWI and before that the US did not need many troops. But all four of his sons enlisted and served in combat zones where they were decorated for bravery. A father fears more the death of his children than his own so through his children we again say no.
Truman - Captain of artillery in WWI.
Eisenhower - if you don't know, go back to school.
Kennedy - PT Boat in WWII - was sunk by a Japanese destroyer.
Johnston - Enlisted, flew on a WWII bombing mission where they came under attack and some bombers did not return.
Nixon - served in the pacific in WWII.
Ford - Navy in WWII, was in several battles in the pacific.
Carter - graduate of Annapolis, Captain of a nuclear submarine.
Reagan - Regan served in the Army during WWII - in Hollywood (turned down for combat duty because of his astigmatism). So no military experience.
Bush (the competent one) - youngest Naval pilot in WWII.
Clinton - didn't even try. No combat experience.
So, Bartlett said "long list" - well a long list is more than one. So the only logical explanation is that he meant Reagan and Clinton both "served ably without military experience."
Assuming that Dan Bartlett was speaking for President Bush, this means President Bush believes that President Clinton served ably as president. I would like to thank President Bush for recognizing the excellent job President Clinton did running the country.
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