Since 1948, in every presidential election, at least one, if not both of the final candidates for the Presidency, has been in the military in some way.
Thomas E. Dewey and Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944 were the last combination of candidates who had not been, ironically in the midst of World War II.
But now in 2012, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have not served in the military, and neither have Rick Santorum nor Newt Gingrich. Ron Paul did serve in the military, but he has failed to catch on, despite the passionate support of his followers.
So in the midst of military involvement in Afghanistan, and possible challenges from Iran and other nations, our next President will have had no connection with the armed services personally.
“our next President will have had no connection with the armed services personally.” Really? I guess commander in chief of the armed services is not much of a connection. Anyways, there doesn’t seem to be a strong correlation between past service and successful foreign policy at all. Most people would say that Bush Jr.’s decisions in regard to foreign policy were far worse than Obama’s.
I personally don’t find it surprising that the WW2 candidates were non-military: if they were, they would likely have been otherwise engaged.