General Discussion

Viva_Daddy

(785 posts) Thu Aug 23, 2012, 12:51 PM Aug 2012

Question for historians out there.

What Presidents can you think of that came to the White House claiming a "strong business background"? I can only think of two: Herbert Hoover and George W. Bush (had MBA from Harvard and ran several businesses that went bankrupt). They didn't come away from the Presidency with a good economic record. Can you think of any other Presidents who claimed a "strong business background"?

6 replies

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Question for historians out there. (Original Post) Viva_Daddy Aug 2012 OP

Jimmy Carter's peanut farm could be considered a business which was successful n/t sarge43 Aug 2012 #1

Carter ran as a Washington outsider, not a business man. n/t FSogol Aug 2012 #4

True, but he did tout his success to jump start his political career in GA. n/t sarge43 Aug 2012 #5

Depends on what you mean by "business" Proud Public Servant Aug 2012 #2

On the other hand, Truman's business went under. hedgehog Aug 2012 #3

George Washington was probably the wealthiest man in the country at the time. RevStPatrick Aug 2012 #6

sarge43

(28,941 posts)

1. Jimmy Carter's peanut farm could be considered a business which was successful n/t

Reply to Viva_Daddy (Original post)

Thu Aug 23, 2012, 01:00 PM

Aug 2012

FSogol

(45,490 posts)

4. Carter ran as a Washington outsider, not a business man. n/t

Reply to sarge43 (Reply #1)

Thu Aug 23, 2012, 01:20 PM

Aug 2012

sarge43

(28,941 posts)

5. True, but he did tout his success to jump start his political career in GA. n/t

Reply to FSogol (Reply #4)

Thu Aug 23, 2012, 01:48 PM

Aug 2012

Proud Public Servant

(2,097 posts)

2. Depends on what you mean by "business"

Reply to Viva_Daddy (Original post)

Thu Aug 23, 2012, 01:18 PM

Aug 2012

Many of the early Founders managed their own plantations, which took considerable business skill. Washington was an extremely savvy businessman (Jefferson, not so much). But otherwise, none but those you named.

hedgehog

(36,286 posts)

3. On the other hand, Truman's business went under.

Reply to Viva_Daddy (Original post)

Thu Aug 23, 2012, 01:20 PM

Aug 2012

Which I think gave him a better understanding of economics than any successful businessman!

RevStPatrick

(2,208 posts)

6. George Washington was probably the wealthiest man in the country at the time.

Reply to Viva_Daddy (Original post)

Thu Aug 23, 2012, 01:48 PM

Aug 2012

And as a percentage of the national wealth, he was one of the wealthiest Americans ever.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/williampbarrett/2012/01/24/how-romney-would-rank-among-the-richest-u-s-presidents/

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