FORMER VEEP WOULD NOT WANT THE PRESIDENCY IF HANDED TO HIM
Youngstown, Ohio (JFK+50) On May 6, 1924, the Associated Press reports former Vice-President of the United States Thomas R. Marshall* said last evening that he "would not be a president (of the United States) if they handed it to me."
The former VP spoke at the annual banquet of the YMCA held here in Youngstown.
Mr. Marshall added...
"I never knew a President who was happy after he got into the White House."
He believes the expectation that a POTUS can be both a national and political party leader "cannot be done."
As to the preferential primary system, the once VPOTUS believes it will "sooner or later" be gotten rid of.
*Thomas Riley Marshall (1854-1925) was born in North Manchester, Indiana & graduated Wabash College 1873 before starting to practice law. TRM served as governor of Indiana 1909-1913 & as VPOTUS 1913-1921 under Woodrow Wilson. He died as a result of a heart attack.
JFK+50 NOTE
Thomas Marshall is credited with saying "What this country needs is a good five cent cigar," and was known for his humor. He once said that a man who had two sons reported that one of them went to sea while the other became vice-president and both were never heard from again.
I can think of two POTUS who were "happy" after they "got into the White House" although one was many years after Thomas Marshall's death. One was Teddy Roosevelt. The other was John F. Kennedy. Obviously both men experienced times during their service that they were not particularly happy being in the White House.
SOURCE
"Would Refuse To Be President, Marshall Says," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., May 6, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
