From first run to White House run: 14 years
When Abe Lincoln—a Kentucky native, unlike transplant Paul—won the 1860 presidential election, his political experience consisted of just two years in the House of Representatives. Even more remarkable: He'd been out of office for 11 years by 1860, having served only one term and having lost his famous 1858 race against Stephen Douglas for Senate. Still, Lincoln's lack of experience didn't seem to hurt him too badly.
From first run to White House run: 0 years
Although his name is now associated with his hapless policy decisions in the face of the Great Depression, Herbert Hoover was renowned for his technical abilities when he was elected president in 1928. He wasn't known for politicking, though: Hoover was an extremely successful businessman, ran aid programs for Europe during World War I, and had served as secretary of commerce, but had never run for office.
From first run to White House run: 4 years
Family connections and charisma catapulted Robert F. Kennedy to prominence. When he ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 1968, his political experience consisted of three years in the Senate plus a turn as attorney general in the administration of his brother John—a nomination that itself raised hackles because of RFK's lack of federal court experience. Despite his short résumé, Kennedy might well have won the presidency had he not been assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan.
From first run to White House run: 6 years
Before his
remarkable return to Sacramento in 2010, before he
feuded with Bill Clinton in 1992, before he was “Gov. Moonbeam” and before he dated Linda Ronstadt, Jerry Brown was new to politics. And not long after that, the super-ambitious Brown decided to run for president. In 1970, Brown—whose father, Pat, had been a respected Democratic governor—was elected state attorney general. In 1974, he was elected governor. And in 1976, just two years later, he ran for president. Although he finished second to Jimmy Carter for the Democratic nomination, he wasn't deterred from trying again in 1980 and 1992—with even less success.
From first run to White House run: 0 years
The reverend has mounted two runs for the nation's highest office, winning five states in the 1984 Democratic primary, his first try. But Jackson had never served in office—except maybe the pastor's office—and he still hasn't. His son Jesse Jackson Jr., a member of the House of Representatives since 1995, has 16 years more experience than his more famous father.
From first run to White House run: 0 years
It's hard to go from being John Q. Civilian to commander in chief of the U.S. armed forces, but it's much easier if you've already been a high-ranking member of the military. Three men have gone to the White House from the military without ever winning another post. Zachary Taylor won the presidency in 1848, fresh off gaining fame for his victory as commander of American forces in the Mexican-American War—even though Old Rough and Ready had never spoken on his political beliefs and was vague even during the election. Ulysses S. Grant, hero of the Civil War, only resigned his post as chief of the Army when he was inaugurated in 1869. And Dwight Eisenhower was also a total political novice when he won the 1952 presidential race. Even George Washington was green: His only political service before the presidency was less than three months in the Continental Congress. Other generals, such as Wesley Clark in 2004, have tried to follow their example but have been unable to replicate their victories.
From first run to White House run: 0 years
For those without political experience or fame as a war hero, a non-elected post assisting the resident of the Oval Office has sometimes been an alluring—though seldom successful—path to taking that office over. Consider
Sargent Shriver,
Alexander Haig, and Elizabeth Dole. Shriver was director of the Peace Corps and ambassador to France before trying for the 1976 Democratic nomination (he came in behind Jimmy Carter and Jerry Brown). Haig, a former general, was chief of staff and deputy national-security adviser to Richard Nixon and then secretary of state under Ronald Reagan before running for the GOP nod in 1988. And Elizabeth Dole tried to vault from jobs as secretary of labor and transportation to the 2000 Republican nomination. Other such would-be presidents will be disappointed to discover that the last president to have served in the Cabinet was the similarly electorally inexperienced Hoover.
From first run to White House run: 2 years
Could Rand Paul be serious about a White House run? His statements have been extremely vague—while he hasn't ruled out a run, he's hardly suggested a serious desire to do so. He'd have a lot of catching up to do against a crowded field of contenders who have a jump on campaigning and fundraising, although he may have more name recognition than
Tim Pawlenty. There's always the chance that Ron Paul will opt to run again. And there's Rand Paul's penchant for
odd statements and
gaffes. But should the senator decide to throw his hat in the ring, he'll be far from the least experienced contender for the job.
