Rags to President

[ethics]

Can someone tell me when was the last time we had a President who had humble (poor) beginnings?

[tke711]

Bill Clinton was born to a widowed mother, so I'm not sure how well off he was as a child.

[ethics]

What's a windowed mother? Did you mean widowed?

[tke711]

LOL...yes....corrected. :haha: That's what I get for posting and cooking dinner at the same time.

He was born 3 months after his father died.

[tke711]

And from this:
Reagan was born in a flat above the local bank building in Tampico, Illinois on February 6, 1911 to John "Jack" Reagan and Nelle Wilson Reagan

It doesn't sound like Ron was born into riches either.

[tke711]

Going just one more back, it looks like Carter wasn't born into money either:

Jimmy Carter, the first President born in a hospital,[4] was the oldest of four children of James Earl and Lillian Gordy Carter. He was born and grew up in the tiny southwest Georgia hamlet of Plains near the larger town of Americus. Carter grew up in a family that did not have much money.

So, it looks like at least 3 of the most recent President's weren't born into money. However, that doesn't mean that they didn't become well off before running for President.

[MNeedham73]

It doesn't sound like Ron was born into riches either.

Tampico is a tiny little town too. Less than 1000 people even today.

Here's the bank building
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/72/Tampico_main_street.jpg/800px-Tampico_main_street.jpg

[Swamp Fox]

I was thinking Reagan, actually - in fact, this proves any boy can grow to be President (assuming he was born native American).

[Fiona]

oh Good- when i read the question, I was thinking weren't the last 4 before/between the bushes pretty poor?

[ravital]

Yep, and Nixon was also born into poverty. Not sure about Johnson.

And while we're on presidential trivia, with apologies in advance for the slight OT, the first woman to run for VP was not Ferraro, and the first Jewish VP candidate was not Lieberman. They were both one Jewish woman on the libertarian ticket in 1972 (and yes, every boy OR girl can grow up to be president :) ).

[joseftu]

And while we're on presidential trivia, with apologies in advance for the slight OT, the first woman to run for VP was not Ferraro, and the first Jewish VP candidate was not Lieberman. They were both one Jewish woman on the libertarian ticket in 1972 (and yes, every boy OR girl can grow up to be president :) ).
I think we covered this before, right? You're referring to Theodora Nathan, but even she was far from the first (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_female_United_States_presidential_and_vice-presidential_candidates) woman!
:)

And in 2000, there were actually three Jewish VP candidates!

Trivia indeed! Ferraro or Lieberman could be called the first from a major party...but that all depends on how you define "major."

[damonlab]

every boy OR girl can grow up to be president

That used to be the case. I'm not so convinced that it is anymore.