Governors who run for president

Thought for the day

Being governor of a state doesn't automatically elevate a presidential candidate over others who aren't.  Just ask Jerry Brown, Rick Perry or Chris Christie.  They all enjoyed high approval ratings in their home states of California, Texas and New Jersey before announcing their campaigns for the White House.  

Unfortunately for them, voters didn't buy what they were selling like they did when Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush ran in 1980, 1992 and 2000. 

Today, at least two former governors and two current governors have entered the Republican presidential race or are thinking about it.  They include former governors Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas and Nikki Haley of South Carolina, and current governors Ron DeSantis of Florida and Glenn Youngkin of Virginia. And don't forget former New Jersey governor Christie and current New Hampshire governor Chris Sununu.  They are lurking in the shadows.

As L.A. Times columnist Mark Barabak said in a recent column, "Think of a run for president as a kind of steeplechase, its path strewn with all sorts of obstacles.  All the glory a governor experienced back home doesn't promise success once (he or she) crosses state lines."  How true.

As a student of politics since the late 1960s, I am always curious about who and why someone wants to be president.  Every four years I tell myself to buckle up.  Next year will be no exception. 

-DF