A Time of Firsts
We recognize that we are living in unprecedented times yet in ways we aren't realizing as events propel us forward. Firsts in all fields--technology, science, medicine, even climate, are daily news. Social/cultural firsts such as homosexual marriage are notable. Political firsts permeating our history are just as numerous but haven't been given the same attention.
Consider where the U.S. has come:
This election cycle's candidates for president, and now the two major party nominees, and thus the next president, are--
1) For the first time a billionaire business magnate, blustery-bloviating, rancorous t.v. character, who has no governing experience whatever, never held an elected nor even appointed office, has a major party nomination. Every prior nominee, every prior president of the country, has earned the position by rising through ranks of public service and prior governing or was the leading military commander of his time.
His chief rival was the first to get so far while being opposed by his own party colleagues, not one of which endorsed him, and who say they can't stand dealing with him.
In the other major political party, there is:
2) The first woman seriously considered for president.
3) The first Democratic Socialist to challenge for a major presidential party nomination, the first time the U.S. has ever taken so seriously that political philosophy.
4) And he'd have been the first over 70 year old to run and take office as president.
5) And the first Jewish nominee and president.
Furthermore, whomever is elected will succeed the first African-American president. (Who ran against the first Mormon nominee for president.)
Who succeeded the first president appointed by the Supreme Court, not elected. (Congress decided one previous election in the 19th century.)
Who succeeded an impeached (the first impeached for something not related to his duties as president) president; who was the first president accused of sexually abusing women.
Who came after the first Hollywood actor and arguably first right winger elected to the office.
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