Governors visit White House despite voter resistance to residency
Former Governors and the Presidency: A Changing Landscape
It has been two decades since the United States elected a former governor as president, but that streak is likely to continue until at least 2028. However, the topic of the presidency is on the minds of several state-level executives who will gather in Washington for the National Governors Association winter meetings.
Between 1977 and 2009, four out of five presidents had previously served as governors. But since then, the Oval Office has been occupied by individuals with different backgrounds. This shift in qualifications for the presidency has not gone unnoticed.
“Qualifications for president have evolved considerably over time and we certainly seem to be in a cycle which doesn’t value governors nearly as much as in the recent past,”
With the likelihood of Trump and Biden securing the major party nominations again this year, any governor aspiring to become president will have to wait for another four years. However, there are still governors who are making their mark on the national stage, such as Gov. Gavin Newsom of California.
On the Democratic side, governors have struggled to gain traction as presidential candidates. In the 2016 Democratic nomination, only former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley ran, but dropped out early in the race. In the most recent election, former Montana Gov. Steve Bullock and former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick failed to gain significant attention compared to other prominent figures.
Despite this, there is hope for a new generation of state-level Democratic stars who may one day change the tide. Governors like Newsom, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Wes Moore of Maryland, and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania are all seen as potential presidential nominees.
However, the media landscape has changed, and national-level recognition is now crucial for a successful presidential campaign. The attention span of the media has shortened, and only candidates with established national credentials are likely to be favorably positioned.
On the Republican side, governors have historically been more successful. Trump’s top challengers this cycle were Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and former Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina. The conservative ideology favors executives over legislators, which explains the pro-governor bias in the GOP.
While the dominance of governors in presidential elections between the late 1970s and late 2000s was notable, history shows that governors were not always as influential. Prior to Jimmy Carter, no president had been a governor since Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s presidency ended in 1945.
The National Governors Association Winter Meetings
The National Governors Association winter meetings will commence on Friday, featuring sessions with Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Amy Coney Barrett, who will discuss the importance of civil discourse. The meetings will continue on Saturday with appearances from Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, entrepreneur Marc Andreessen, and pollster Frank Luntz.
The highlight of the event will be a black-tie dinner at the White House, where the governors and their spouses will have the opportunity to meet with President Biden. For one of these governors, this dinner may be a glimpse into their future residence if the electoral tide shifts in their favor.
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How might the reputations of Gov. Cuomo and Gov. Whitmer as effective leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic impact their chances of a presidential run in the future?
O have their sights set on the presidency. Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan are both considered rising stars within the party and may choose to pursue higher office in the future. Additionally, with the increasing importance of governors in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, their reputations as effective leaders may further boost their chances of a successful presidential run.
On the Republican side, the situation is slightly different. Former governors have had more success in recent years when it comes to presidential campaigns. Former Gov. Mitt Romney was the party’s nominee in 2012, and former Gov. Jeb Bush was considered a frontrunner in the 2016 election before ultimately dropping out. However, in the most recent election, former Gov. Bill Weld struggled to gain traction as a Republican primary challenger to President Trump.
It is worth noting that while governors may have executive experience and a record of leadership, they often face challenges in the presidential race. National issues and foreign policy knowledge often take precedence over state-level achievements, and the dynamics of running a national campaign differ greatly from those of governing a single state.
Despite these challenges, former governors continue to be important players in American politics. They bring a wealth of experience and understanding of state-level issues and concerns, which can be valuable in shaping national policy. Additionally, their executive experience provides them with the skills necessary to navigate the complex world of politics and governance.
As the landscape of American politics continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see if the trend of former governors as presidents will continue. Will voters once again find value in executive experience, or will they be more drawn to candidates with different backgrounds? Only time will tell. In the meantime, former governors will continue to have an influential role in shaping the national conversation and potentially even the presidency itself.
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