| Experience at time of Assuming Office* |
Name |
Office |
Party |
Term |
Experience |
|
|
|
|
|
Rank out of 41
|
Score |
|
|
|
Start |
End |
Educational
|
Personal |
Military |
Professional |
Political |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Candidates for President / Vice President |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 5 |
102 |
John McCain |
|
R |
|
|
US Naval Academy, Annapolis |
National War College, Fort McNair |
7 Children, Boxing |
Navy, 1954-1981, Pilot. Vietnam 1967-1973. POW 1967-1973, Flight Instructor. Captain. 17 awards. Father and Grandfather 4 star Navy Admirals. 3 children in Military, two Iraq war veterans. |
Navy Senate Liaison (4 yrs), VP Public Relations, Hensley & Co. (1 yr) |
U.S. House of Rep. (1983-1987) |
U.S. Senate (1987-2008) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 37 |
23 |
Barack Obama |
|
D |
|
|
B.A. Political Science |
J.D. Harvard Law |
2 Children, Basketball |
None |
Chicago Community Organizer (3 yrs); Director of Project Vote (1 yr); Concurrently (12 yrs): Attorney, Writer (~1 yr full time), Attorney, Lecturer at Chicago Law School, Board of directors of various groups. |
Illinois Senate (1997-2004) |
U.S. Senate (2005-2008) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 3 |
107 |
Joe Biden |
|
D |
|
|
B.A. Political Science and History |
J.D. Syracuse University College of Law |
4 Children |
None, elder son in National Guard to be deployed to Iraq in Oct. |
Since 1991 adjunct professor, Widener University of Law, Board of the Close Up Foundation |
New Castle County Council (1970-1972) |
U.S. Senate (1973-2008) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 28 |
34 |
Sarah Palin |
|
R |
|
|
B.S. Communications-Journalism, minor in Political Science |
|
5 Children, Flute, Basketball |
None, elder son in Army to be deployed to Iraq this month. |
Mother, TV Reporter, Commercial Fishing Company, Director of 527 group (2 years) |
Wasilla City Council (1992-1996) |
Mayor, Wasilla (1996-2002) |
Alaska Oil and Gas Commission Chair (2003-2004) |
Governor of Alaska (2006-2008) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current and Past Presidents / Vice Presidents |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 34 |
25 |
George W. Bush |
Pres |
R |
2001 |
2009 |
B.A. History |
MBA Harvard University |
2 Children, Basketball |
Texas Air National Guard, Alabama Air National Guard, Pilot (1968-1973) |
Oil Industry (~10 yrs.) Founder of Bush Exploration, Chairman of Spectrum 7, Board of directors of Harken Energy. Texas Rangers, Managing general partner (5 yrs) |
Governor of Texas (1995-2000) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
45 |
Dick Cheney |
VP |
R |
2001 |
2009 |
B.A. Political Science |
M.A. Political Science |
2 Children |
None |
Various White House appointments, (1969-1978) |
White House Chief of Staff (1978-1979) |
U.S. House of Rep. (1979-1989) |
US Secretary of Defense (1989-1993) |
|
|
|
|
| 17 |
52 |
Bill Clinton |
Pres |
D |
1993 |
2001 |
B.S. Foreign Service |
J.D. Yale Law School |
1 Child, Tenor Sax |
None |
Professor, University of Arkansas (1 yr) |
Attorney General of Arkansas (1976-1978) |
Governor of Arkansas (1978-1980, 1982-1992) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 18 |
50 |
Al Gore |
VP |
D |
1993 |
2001 |
B.A. Government |
|
3 Children |
Army, 1969-1971, Engineer. Vietnam 1971 |
Investigative reporter, (1971-1976) |
U.S. House of Rep. (1977-1985) |
U.S. Senate (1985-1993) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 9 |
78 |
George H. W. Bush |
Pres |
R |
1989 |
1993 |
B.A. Economics |
|
6 Children, Basketball, Baseball |
Navy, 1942-1945, Pilot. WWII 1943-1945, Lieutenant. Flight Instructor. 3 awards. |
Founded various oil development companies, chairman and president. Bank chairman. Professor. |
U.S. House of Rep. (1967-1971) |
US Ambassador to the UN (1971-1973) |
Chief of Liaison Office to China (1974-1975) |
Director of Central Intelligence (1976-1977) |
Vice Pres. Of US (1981-1989) |
|
|
| 23 |
42 |
Dan Quayle |
VP |
R |
1989 |
1993 |
B.A. Political Science |
J.D. Indiana Univ. School of Law Indianapolis |
3 Children |
Indiana Army National Guard, 1969-1975, Sergeant |
Investigator, Indiana Attorney General’s Office (1 yr.); IN Dept. of Revenue (2 yrs.); Associate publisher, Huntington Herald-Press, private law practice. |
U.S. House of Rep. (1976-1980) |
U.S. Senate (1980-1988) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 24 |
40 |
Ronald Reagan |
Pres |
R |
1981 |
1989 |
B.A. Economics and Sociology |
|
5 Children, Football |
Army, 1937-1945, Captain, Film Division |
Radio announcer (5 yrs), Actor, President of the Screen Actors Guild (8 yrs.) |
Governor of California (1967-1975) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 30 |
30 |
George H. W. Bush |
VP |
R |
1981 |
1989 |
B.A. Economics |
|
6 Children, Basketball, Baseball |
Navy, 1942-1945, Pilot. WWII 1943-1945, Lieutenant. Flight Instructor. 3 awards. |
Founded various oil development companies, chairman and president. Bank chairman. Professor. |
U.S. House of Rep. (1967-1971) |
US Ambassador to the UN (1971-1973) |
Chief of Liaison Office to China (1974-1975) |
Director of Central Intelligence (1976-1977) |
|
|
|
| 27 |
36 |
James Carter Jr. |
Pres |
D |
1977 |
1981 |
B.S. |
|
4 Children, Basketball, FFA |
Navy, ~1944-1953, Lieutenant, Submarines. Elder son served in Navy and Vietnam. |
Peanut farmer (~7 yrs.). Served on various local boards, school, hospital, library, etc. |
Georgia Senate (1963-1966) |
Governor of Georgia (1971-1975) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 20 |
46 |
Walter Mondale |
VP |
D |
1977 |
1981 |
B.A. Political Science |
J.D. University of Minnesota Law School |
3 Children |
Army, 1956-1958, Corporal |
Minnesota Law Review, law clerk MN Supreme Court, Attorney (4 yrs) |
Attorney General of Minnesota (1960-1964) |
U.S. Senate (1964-1976) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 8 |
82 |
Gerald Ford |
Pres |
R |
1974 |
1977 |
B.A. Political Science and Economics |
J.D. Yale Law School |
4 Children. Eagle Scout, Football, Golf |
Navy, 1942-1946, Pilot. WWII 1943-1945, Lieutenant Commander. Instructor. 15 awards. |
Attorney, Private practice (1 yr) |
U.S. House of Rep. (1949-1973) |
Vice Pres. Of US (1973-1974) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
113 |
Nelson Rockefeller |
VP |
R |
1974 |
1977 |
Dartmouth College |
|
7 Children |
None |
President of the Museum of Modern Art (19 yrs), various family businesses and philanthropies. |
Numerous federal political appointments (1940-1959) |
Governor of New York (1959-1973) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 14 |
70 |
Richard Nixon |
Pres |
R |
1969 |
1974 |
Whittier College |
J.D. Duke University School of Law |
2 daughters. Football, music, theater |
Navy, 1942-1946, Pilot. WWII 1943-1945, Lieutenant Commander. |
Worked at family store, Attorney |
U.S. House of Rep. (1947-1950) |
U.S. Senate (1950-1953) |
Vice Pres. Of US (1953-1961) |
|
|
|
|
| 35 |
24 |
Spiro T. Agnew |
VP |
R |
1969 |
1973 |
Johns Hopkins University |
J.D. University of Baltimore School of Law |
4 Children |
Army, 1941-1945. WWII |
Grocer, Insurance Salesman, Attorney |
Baltimore County Executive (1962-1966) |
Governor of Maryland (1962-1966) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 10 |
76 |
Gerald Ford |
VP |
R |
1973 |
1974 |
B.A. Political Science and Economics |
J.D. Yale Law School |
4 Children. Eagle Scout, Football, Golf |
Navy, 1942-1946, Pilot. WWII 1943-1945, Lieutenant Commander. Instructor. 15 awards. |
Attorney, Private practice (1 yr) |
U.S. House of Rep. (1949-1973) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 7 |
85 |
Lyndon B. Johnson |
Pres |
D |
1963 |
1969 |
Southwest Texas State |
|
2 Children |
Navy Reserves (1941-?), Commissioned Officer, Silver Star |
Teacher in Mexico and US |
U.S. House of Rep. (1937-1949) |
U.S. Senate (1949-1961) |
Vice Pres. Of US (1963-1965) |
|
|
|
|
| 30 |
30 |
Hubert Humphrey |
VP |
D |
1965 |
1969 |
B.A. Political Science |
M.A. Political Science |
4 Children |
Rejected twice for medical reasons |
Pharmacist, Family Drugstore (7 yrs), College instructor (2 yrs), Chief of MN war service program (1 yr), Radio commentator (2 yrs) |
Mayor, Minneapolis, MN (1945-1948) |
U.S. Senate (1971-1978) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 22 |
43 |
John F. Kennedy |
Pres |
D |
1961 |
1963 |
B.A. International Affairs |
|
2 Children |
Navy, 1941-1945, Lieutenant, Torpedo Boat, WWII 1941-1945. 4 awards. |
Ranch hand, world traveler (2 years) |
U.S. House of Rep. (1947-1953) |
U.S. Senate (1953-1960) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 11 |
73 |
Lyndon B. Johnson |
VP |
D |
1961 |
1963 |
Southwest Texas State |
|
2 Children |
Navy Reserves (1941-?), Commissioned Officer, 1 award. Brother killed in combat. |
Teacher in Mexico and US |
U.S. House of Rep. (1937-1949) |
U.S. Senate (1949-1961) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 11 |
73 |
Dwight D. Eisenhower |
Pres |
R |
1953 |
1961 |
West Point Academy |
|
2 Children, Baseball, Football |
General of the Army, Supreme Allied Commander, Army Chief of Staff (1915-1953), (1961-1969), Numerous awards. Son in Army. |
President of Columbia University (5 yrs) |
Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. (1943-1945) |
Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army (1945-1948) |
Supreme Commander NATO (1950-1952) |
|
|
|
|
| 39 |
22 |
Richard Nixon |
VP |
R |
1953 |
1961 |
Whittier College |
J.D. Duke University School of Law |
2 daughters. Football, music, theater |
Navy, 1942-1946, Pilot. WWII 1943-1945, Lieutenant Commander. |
Worked at family store, Attorney |
U.S. House of Rep. (1947-1950) |
U.S. Senate (1950-1953) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 11 |
73 |
Harry S. Truman |
Pres |
D |
1945 |
1953 |
Two years of law school, No degree |
|
1 Child. Piano, reading, history |
Army National Guard, 1905-1920, Colonel, WWI |
Small business, farmer |
County Court Judge (Commissioner), (1922-1924, 1925-1933) |
Missouri director for Federal Re-Employment Program (1933-1945) |
U.S. Senate (1935-1945) |
Vice Pres. Of US (1945-1945) |
|
|
|
| 2 |
108 |
Alben W. Barkley |
VP |
D |
1945 |
1953 |
Emory College |
J.D. University of Virginia Law School |
Unknown |
None |
Prosecuting Attorney, Judge (4 yrs) |
U.S. House of Rep. (1913-1927) |
U.S. Senate (1927-1949, 1955-1956) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 25 |
37 |
Franklin D. Roosevelt |
Pres |
D |
1933 |
1945 |
Harvard University |
|
6 Children, Boy Scouts |
None |
Corporate Lawyer, President of NY City Boy Scout Federation (4 yrs) |
New York Senate (1911-1913) |
Assistant Secretary of the Navy (1913-1920) |
Governor of New York (1929-1932) |
|
|
|
|
| 3 |
107 |
John N. Garner |
VP |
D |
1933 |
1941 |
Vanderbuilt University (1 yr). No degree |
Law School, unknown. |
1 Child |
None |
Attorney |
County Judge (Executive position) Uvalde County (1893-1896) |
Texas State House of Reps. (1898-1902) |
U.S. House of Rep. (1903-1933) |
|
|
|
|
| 35 |
24 |
Henry A Wallace |
VP |
D |
1941 |
1945 |
Iowa State College, Ames |
|
Unknown |
None |
Journalist, writer, Editor (19 yrs). Farmer. |
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (1933-1940) |
U.S. Secretary of Commerce (1945-1946) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 15 |
67 |
Harry S. Truman |
VP |
D |
1945 |
1945 |
Two years of law school, No degree |
|
1 Child. Piano, reading, history |
Army National Guard, 1905-1920, Colonel, WWI |
Small business, farmer |
County Court Judge (Commissioner), (1922-1924, 1925-1933) |
Missouri director for Federal Re-Employment Program (1933-1945) |
U.S. Senate (1935-1945) |
|
|
|
|
| 29 |
33 |
Herbert Hoover |
Pres |
R |
1929 |
1933 |
B.S. Geology |
|
2 Children, Baseball, Football |
None |
USGS, Mining Engineer. Author. Humanitarian efforts during WWI. Head of Committee for Relief in Belgium. |
Head of American Food Administration (1917-1921) |
U.S. Secretary of Commerce (1921-1928) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 6 |
99 |
Charles Curtis |
VP |
R |
1929 |
1933 |
Unknown |
|
3 Children, horse racing |
None |
Prosecuting Attorney (4 yrs) |
U.S. House of Rep. (1893-1907) |
U.S. Senate (1907-1913, 1915-1928) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 19 |
49 |
Calvin Coolidge |
Pres |
R |
1923 |
1929 |
Amherst |
|
2 Children |
None |
law apprentice. Attorney, private practice |
City Government, Northampton (1898-1901) |
Massachusetts House of Reps. (1907-1909) |
Mayor, Northampton (1910-1914) |
Massachusetts Senate (1914-1915) |
Lieutenant Gov. of Massachusetts (1916-1919) |
Governor of Massachusetts (1919-1921) |
Vice Pres. Of US (1921-1923) |
| 37 |
23 |
Charles G. Dawes |
VP |
R |
1925 |
1929 |
Marietta College |
Cincinnati Law School |
4 Children. Pianist, Composer |
Army (1914-1919), Brigadier General, WWI |
Attorney. President Lacrosse Gas Light Co. and Northwestern Gas Light and Coke Co. President Central Trust Co. of Illinois |
Comptroller of the Currency, US Dept. of Treasury (1898-1901) |
Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (1921-1922) |
Allied Reparations Commission (1923-1924) |
|
|
|
|
| 30 |
30 |
Warren G. Harding |
Pres |
R |
1921 |
1923 |
Ohio Central College |
|
1 Child |
|
Journalist, publisher, owner Marion Daily Star. |
Ohio State Senate (1899-1903) |
Lieutenant Governor of Ohio (1903-1905) |
U.S. Senate (1915-1921) |
|
|
|
|
| 25 |
37 |
Calvin Coolidge |
VP |
R |
1921 |
1923 |
Amherst |
|
2 Children |
None |
law apprentice. Attorney, private practice |
City Government, Northampton (1898-1901) |
Massachusetts House of Reps. (1907-1909) |
Mayor, Northampton (1910-1914) |
Massachusetts Senate (1914-1915) |
Lieutenant Gov. of Massachusetts (1916-1919) |
Governor of Massachusetts (1919-1921) |
|
| 41 |
8 |
Woodrow Wilson |
Pres |
D |
1913 |
1921 |
Princeton University |
Ph.D Political Science |
3 Children, Glee Club, debate, cars, baseball |
None |
Attorney, private practice. Author. Professor. President of Princeton University (8 yrs) |
Governor of New Jersey (1911-1913) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 40 |
16 |
Thomas R. Marshall |
VP |
D |
1913 |
1921 |
Wabash College |
|
Unknown |
Unknown |
Attorney |
Governor of Indiana (1909-1913) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 33 |
26 |
William Howard Taft |
Pres |
R |
1909 |
1913 |
Yale College |
B.A. Laws |
|
Son served in WWI |
Layer, Prosecutor, Superior Court Judge. Dean and professor of constitutional law, University of Cincinnati. |
U.S. Solicitor General (1890-1892) |
Civil Governor of the Philippines (1901-1903) |
U.S. Secretary of War (1904-1908) |
Provisional Governor of Cuba (1 mo.) |
|
|
|
| 16 |
66 |
James S. Sherman |
VP |
R |
1909 |
1912 |
Hamilton College |
|
Unknown |
|
Attorney, President Utica Trust & Deposit Co. and New Hartford Canning Co. |
Mayor, Utica, NY (1884-1886) |
U.S. House of Reps. (1886-1890, 1892-1908) |
|
|
|
|
|
