By Richard E Walrath

Since 1913, almost a hundred years now, this is the first time that we have had back-to-back elected presidents of opposing parties who have served two full terms.

FDR died on April 12, 1945 after having been elected four (4) times.  He served three (3) full terms and only a few months of his fourth term.  Truman finished out FDR’s fourth term having succeeded him since he was VP.  Truman was elected in 1948 beating out Thomas Dewey who was heavily favored to win.

Dwight Eisenhower, who came after Harry Truman, did serve two full terms, but he was succeeded by JFK who died in office after serving less than one term.  LBJ finished out Kennedy’s term, and then was elected, but served only one term after that. Then came Nixon – elected for his second term, but resigned because of Watergate.

Gerald Ford finished out Nixon’s term, but was defeated by Carter who served only one term, losing to Ronald Reagan.

Reagan served two full terms, but was succeeded by Bush the First who served only one term losing to Bill Clinton who served two full terms.

Then came Bush the Second, if he does not resign, and is not impeached, convicted and removed from office, he will, in all probability, serve two full terms, making Clinton and Bush the first and only two presidents, of opposing parties, to be elected and serve two full terms.

Being able to compare the results of the economy under such diametrically different policies is a once-in-a-life-time opportunity. 

Stay tuned!