Gen. David Petraeus

[El Kabong]

I think it is impossible to say until he know more about him. It seems that, in America at least, military leaders have a hard time when they try to run for President.

Recently perhaps what with McCain, Dole, etc. But historically they've been gang busters! Eisenhower, Teddy Roosevelt, JFK, Truman, and so on and so forth.

I think Petraeus would be someone that could bring the country together.....bar the far left anti-War at all cost nutjobs.

I was meaning recently, yeah (as in the last 100 years or so). Even so, out of those guys, only one was a general and he has just helped win the largest war in history. There doesn't seem to be a bias against those who have served, but it seems difficult for those in the highest levels of command to make the transition to public life.

I don't think my political leaning would allow me to support an ex-general in an election as most of them, to generalize, seem to be on the 'right' side of the political spectrum.

Wesley Clark was a General and ran as a Democrat.

Grant was a General as well.

I think the "problem" these military guys have is that they are rigid in their beliefs....once upon a time that used to be an endearing quality, but now no one takes a hard stand on anything for fear of being hung out to dry politically....Obama couldn't survive a 'Bay of Pigs' massacre the way JFK did, there's 0 way he could do it with today's 24/7 news cycle.

I think Petraeus is a guy who just focuses his energy on getting the job done. Heard his biographer speak of him as taking advice from any and all levels of serviceman and he seems humble enough to where I would trust the country in his hands....unlike say an egomaniac like MacArthur or Patton