This is the election you wouldn't want to win

News Type: Opinion — Seeded on Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:32 AM EDT

Article Source: The Times

It is highly probable that that moment, the very hour that he takes office, will be the high point of his presidency. Whoever wins on November 4 will be ascending to the job at one of the most difficult times for an American chief executive in at least half a century. When the votes are counted his people might ruefully conclude that the victor is not Barack Obama or John McCain. The real winner will be Hillary Clinton, or Mitt Romney, or Mike Huckabee, or some now happily anonymous figure whose star will rise in the next four turbulent years.

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{"commentId":3139610,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

ShaunV

So perhaps, rather than simply assuring us that the man who wins in November is a sure loser, history suggests an unsettlingly binary possibility. Either the next president is destined for the cruel obscurity of one-term failure. Or he is set to join the pantheon.

Then again, look carefully at those dates and consider a crueller possibility for this year's winner: that desperate times like these actually produce both types of president, sequentially: a one-term disaster who paves the way for a true giant.

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1 vote

#1 - Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:35 AM EDT

{"commentId":3139611,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

ShaunV

So perhaps, rather than simply assuring us that the man who wins in November is a sure loser, history suggests an unsettlingly binary possibility. Either the next president is destined for the cruel obscurity of one-term failure. Or he is set to join the pantheon.

Then again, look carefully at those dates and consider a crueller possibility for this year's winner: that desperate times like these actually produce both types of president, sequentially: a one-term disaster who paves the way for a true giant.

{"commentId":3139611,"threadId":"369181","contentId":"1916488","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

1 vote

#2 - Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:35 AM EDT

{"commentId":3143733,"authorDomain":"savannahborn"}

savannahborn

Good thoughts here.

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1 vote

#3 - Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:09 PM EDT

{"commentId":3154211,"authorDomain":"ElliePhat"}

ElliePhat

I'll be voting for McCain this election, but I've thought on more than one occasion that is might be better for my party in the long run for BO to get the "credit" for the next few years. Thing is, I still believe it will be better for my country if he doesn't.

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1 vote

#4 - Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:19 PM EDT

{"commentId":3184895,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

ShaunV

but I've thought on more than one occasion that is might be better for my party in the long run for BO to get the "credit" for the next few years. Thing is, I still believe it will be better for my country if he doesn't.

Agreed, Elle.

{"commentId":3184895,"threadId":"369181","contentId":"1916488","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

1 vote

#4.1 - Sun Sep 28, 2008 12:05 PM EDT

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SHAUNV

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This is the election you wouldn't want to win

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