2016 Presidential Hopefuls: Hit The Links!

Emily Kay does a nice job examining the most stunning Presidential electoral trend of all...pols who play golf in some form, at some point and in some way, stand a better chance of moving into the White House. (Thanks reader Todd.)

    •    1980: Ronald Reagan (golfer) defeats Jimmy Carter (non-golfer)
    •    1984: Ronald Reagan defeats Walter Mondale (non-golfer)
    •    1988: George H.W. Bush (golfer) defeats Michael Dukakis (non-golfer)
    •    1992: Bill Clinton (golfer) defeats George H.W. Bush
    •    1996: Bill Clinton defeats Bob Dole (non-golfer)
    •    2000: George W. Bush (golfer) defeats Al Gore (non-golfer)
    •    2004: George W. Bush defeats John Kerry (non-golfer)
    •    2008: Barack Obama (golfer) defeats John McCain (non-golfer)
    •    2012: Barack Obama defeats Mitt Romney (the anti-golfer)

Update on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 01:46 PM by Geoff

**Following on this theme, Ron Sirak makes the case that golf can bridge political differences.

No matter where you stand on the political scale -- the left side, the right, or somewhere in between -- the nation now, with so many challenges ahead, needs to find a balance. I'm not smart enough to know where the balance resides, but I am willing to trust that both the Democrats and Republican have people smart enough and noble enough to find it.

Golf gives us a perfect road map to follow. Presidents Eisenhower and Ford were both passionate golfers and they were both Republicans. Presidents Clinton and Obama, both Democrats, share that passion.

Comments

[3foot1]

1992 is lame. The W in GHW Bush stands for the Walker Cup. Other than that, interesting.

[KLG]

Of course, it should also be noted that neither Bob Dole nor John McCain are able to play golf because of horrific war injuries.

[No Longer Used to be Former S & T Convert]

Ron is "willing to trust that both the Democrats and Republican have people smart enough and noble enough to find it" Sadly I don't share his optimism. Wish I did......

[Shamus]

Obama golfs, I certainly wouldn't call him a golfer.

[KRoper]

If the Presidency were chosen using that trend, shouldn't John McCain have gotten a few electoral college votes as an ADA concession since he can't lift his arms above his shoulders?

[Ghillie]

Shamus: If you decline to call people who "golf" a "golfer," you might as well close every club and course in America.

Don't be such a snob. Obama is not trying to get an exemption for the Republican Tour.