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AMPU Failed Presidential Nominees (excluding those that would be or were president)


vcczar

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James M Cox

Cox dynasty, includes daughter

Liberal

1 Command, 1 Legislative, 2 Governing

Media as initial expertise

Nationalist, LW Activist, Reformist

Likeable, Uncharismatic, Hale

Notes: Not the most exciting candidate but would serve well as president during times of tranquility. Better for governor.

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John W Davis

Davis, includes his father

Conservative

1 Command, 1 Legislative, 1 Administrative

Foreign Affairs expertise

Expansionist

Egghead, Integrity, Uncharismatic, Cosmopolitan, Geostrategist, Passive, Domestic Apathy

Notes: Better for cabinet or congress. Not a very inspiring candidate. Would serve best in a military crisis but would struggle in any period with a demand of domestic reform. Historically, Davis was the last conservative Democrat nominee. The 1924 election pitted him against the equally conservative Coolidge in what is often called the High Watermark of American Conservatism. The La Follette 3rd party bid was a reaction to this. 

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Al Smith

Liberal (became moderate or even conservative when FDR was president)

1 command, 1 legislative, 2 governing

Justice as initial expertise

Disharmonious, Likable, Pliable, Naive Strategist, Delegator 

Catholic

Notes: Best as a governor. As president, would not do well in a time of war. Liable to being influence and needs to have a strong cabinet as he likes to delegate. Can be disruptive. Historically, Al Smith was long-seen as the first likely Catholic nominee. He was a strong candidate in 1920 and 1924. Had he been protestant, he may have won the nomination in one of these earlier elections. He had the bad luck of facing Hoover, who was guaranteed to win in a landslide, which might have been why Democrats were willing to try running a Catholic to gain stronger support from them in the future. He expected to be the nominee in 1932 when Democrats were expected to win; however, his loyal supporter, FDR, jumped in the race without Al Smith's approval. Smith never forgave FDR and voted Republican for the rest of his life, even though he stayed as a Democrat. Some consider Al Smith as a Tammany Hall crony. 

 

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Alf Landon

Landon dynasty, which includes his daughter

Moderate

1 Command, 1 Governing, 1 Admin

Business as initial expertise

Egghead, Integrity, Uncharismatic, Hale, Harmonious, Crisis Gov

Notes: Great potential as governor, especially during a crisis. Would serve well as president in a peaceful time, if he can get elected. 

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Wendell Wilkie

Moderate

2 command

Business as expertise

Civil Rights

Frail, Likable, Cosmopolitan

Can be Independent, Can Party Flip

Notes: Unless he gets lucky and gains abilities via events or etc., he's only good for throwing his hat into the presidential race. Surprisingly electable, especially if he can face a mediocre opponent. Not especially adept to handle a crisis, but can also avoid creating them. 

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Thomas E Dewey

Mod

2 Command, 2 Governing

Justice as initial expertise

Debater, Efficient, Kingmaker, Leadership, Pliable, Uncharismatic, Cosmopolitan, Cop

Notes: Better governor than president, mainly because he may have a difficult time getting elected. Susceptible to some influence, but can also do well in a justice-related crisis. Would make a decent party leader. 

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Adlai E Stevenson II

Stevenson Dynasty, include his father, grandfather and a son

Moderate

2 Command, 1 Legislative, 1 Governing, 2 Administrative

Naval as initial expertise

Debater, Efficient, Egghead, Orator, Uncharismatic, Cosmopolitan, Bookkeeper, Geostrategist, Harmonious, Delegator, 

Notes: Would make a great cabinet officer and potentially a good-to-great president. Well equipped for the job but getting elected might be difficult. Needs to be well-served as he's likely to delegate frequently.

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Barry Goldwater

Goldwater dynasty, includes a son and an Uncle and another relative.

 Traditionalist

1 Command, 2 Legislative, 2 Military

Military as initial expertise

Expansionist, Reformist, RW Activist

Integrity, Leadership, Hale, Naive Strategist, Predictable, Domestic Apathy, Unlikable

Notes: Best to keep in Congress or the military. Great for faction leader of the Traditionalist faction. Just as in real life, will have a hard time in a presidential election. We strongly disliked by the GOP Establishment and by Independents. However, had a strong following among people of his same ideology. Very consistent, which also makes him predictable. Would have an awful time if Congress opposes him. His overly-aggressive foreign policy rhetoric and his disinterest in Domestic Reform would likely make him a poor president in the event of a crisis in either area. In a time of relative tranquility, and if Congress is filled with fellow Traditionalists, he could be effective. Barring that, he'd struggle to be an average president. His best bet would be to run for president in his 70s or 80s. He has "hale," which means he has a chance at staying in the game until age 100. His ideology becomes more preferable starting about 1972, and much more so by 2000. If he runs for president at age 91, he would be more electable than he would be in 1964 when he was 55. Just not the type of politician for a national office, considering his ideals and whims which were mostly confined to his home state and one region. Would make a great VP though! 

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Hubert Humphrey

Humphrey, includes his son and grandson

Liberal

1 command, 2 legislative, 1 governing

Healthcare as initial expertise

Civil Rights, LW Activist, Reformist

Egghead, Pliable, Domestic Warrior, Cop

Notes: Best to keep him in Congress. Kind of a middling candidate for president, electorally speaking. Likely to be influenced, but is the right person for domestic reform, considering he was one of the top 3 leading domestic reformists in the US Senate during the 1950s and early 1960s.

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George McGovern

Liberal

1 command, 1 legislative, 1 military, 1 administrative

Military as initial expertise

Reformist

Integrity, Pliable, Uncharismatic, Hale, Numberfudger, Naive Strategist, Domestic Warrior

Notes: Keep him in the US Senate. Would have a hard time winning a presidential election unless the opponent is very weak. Even if elected, subject to being influenced and potentially be a disaster in an economic or military crisis. He would be great for domestic reform. His heart is in the right place, but his scope of ability, and possibly interest, is too narrow for the presidency. Sort of a liberal Barry Goldwater in this regard.

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Walter Mondale

Mondale dynasty, includes his son

Liberal

1 Command, 1 Legislative, 1 Administrative

Military as initial expertise

Integrity, Uncharismatic, Hale

Notes: Not an inspiring candidate for president. Best in Congress or as VP. No weaknesses as president once in office, but also no strengths to help with a crisis. 

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Michael Dukakis

Moderate

1 Command, 1 Legislative, 2 Governing

Military as initial expertise

Uncharismatic, Hale, Bookkeeper, Predictable

Notes: Best as governor. Won't have the easiest time getting elected, but once he does, he will likely perform well during an economic crisis. One draw back is that his "predictable" nature is going to make him easier prey if both houses of Congress oppose him.

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Bob Dole

Dole Dynasty, includes his wife

1 Command, 2 Legislative, 1 Military

Military as initial expertise

Uncharismatic, Hale

Notes: Better as a US Senator. Will have a hard time getting elected. Won't kill the country as president but also won't save it. 

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Al Gore

Gore dynasty, includes his father

Moderate

1 Command, 2 legislative, 1 admin

Science as initial expertise

Egghead, Pliable, Uncharismatic

Notes: Not the most electable person for the presidency. Best suited for US Senate or a cabinet position. A rather safe pick for a time of relative tranquility.

 

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John Kerry

Liberal

1 Command, 2 Legislative, 1 governing, 1 military, 1 admin

Naval as initial expertise

Uncharismatic

Notes: Has great range, which can also help in minor ways as president, but lacks any significant strength to help in a crisis. Hard to get elected unless the opponent is weak. Fortunately, no huge flaws as an executive.

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John McCain

McCain dynasty, which includes his father, grandfather, and daughter

Moderate

2 command, 2 legislative, 1 military

Naval as initial expertise

Expansionist

Integrity, Geostrategist, Late Bloomer

Notes: Surprisingly a good pick for president, especially during a time of military crisis. Won't help much domestically, but at least lacks paralyzing flaws. 

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Mitt Romney

Romney dynasty, which includes his father, mom, and his niece

Moderate

1 command, 1 legislative, 1 governing, 1 admin

Business as initial expertise

Pliable, Cosmopolitan

Notes: Good for election if facing an average opponent or weaker. Liable to be influence but has no other weaknesses. No real strengths either. A safe pick. 

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Hillary Clinton

Clinton dynasty, includes her husband

Moderate (Liberal as candidate and nominee)

2 command, 1 gov, 1 legislative, 1 admin [I've just given her 1 in gov because Bill Clinton strongly considered a plot to have Hillary Clinton follow him as governor of Arkansas]

Justice as initial expertise

Civil Rights

Egghead, Kingmaker, Unlikable, Uncharismatic, Cosmopolitan, Cop, Late Bloomer, Delegator

Notes: Very, very risky. Has a lot of range. Would likely do well in a justice-related crisis, but has a mountain to climb to get elected. Will need to be well-served as she will delegate. Might be best as a kingmaker or admin. 

*This concludes the failed major party nominees. I'll do another thread of non-nominees and non-presidents at a later point.

 

 

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5 hours ago, vcczar said:

Hillary Clinton

Clinton dynasty, includes her husband

Moderate (Liberal as candidate and nominee)

2 command, 1 gov, 1 legislative, 1 admin [I've just given her 1 in gov because Bill Clinton strongly considered a plot to have Hillary Clinton follow him as governor of Arkansas]

Justice as initial expertise

Civil Rights

Egghead, Kingmaker, Unlikable, Uncharismatic, Cosmopolitan, Cop, Late Bloomer, Delegator

Notes: Very, very risky. Has a lot of range. Would likely do well in a justice-related crisis, but has a mountain to climb to get elected. Will need to be well-served as she will delegate. Might be best as a kingmaker or admin. 

*This concludes the failed major party nominees. I'll do another thread of non-nominees and non-presidents at a later point.

 

 

Not controversial?

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7 minutes ago, MrPotatoTed said:

Not controversial?

I considered it but I’m not sure what she’s done that makes it as firm as some others. She had one bad comment. She hasn’t been investigated for a controversy. She doesn’t create it. She seems more unliked than controversial but I’m open to including it with strong evidence. 

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On 10/12/2021 at 8:51 PM, vcczar said:

Walter Mondale

Integrity, Uncharismatic, Hale

How about likeable for Walter? Even as a conservative I find him to be likeable.

 

I also find it interesting that every failed nominee from McGovern to Kerry has uncharismatic as a trait. 

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56 minutes ago, ConservativeElector2 said:

How about likeable for Walter? Even as a conservative I find him to be likeable.

 

I also find it interesting that every failed nominee from McGovern to Kerry has uncharismatic as a trait. 

Yeah, their blandness was a huge reason they didn't win. 

Will think about it for Mondale. Hard to see someone that wins only one state as being uniquely "likable"

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