Am I correct in thinking that the president of the US is also the
commander in chief of the armed forces? If so, maybe this adds some
further nuance to presidential visits to the troops?

You are correct. But don't forget also that *any* visit is hugely
appreciated by the troops. Much of the hoopla surrounding Bob Hope's
recent 100th birthday had to do with his willingness simply to show
up. He was especially loved by troops in Germany in July 1945, when
everyone else was focussed on the coming invasion of Japan, and in
Korea and Vietnam, when nobody was focussed on the troops at all. This
effect increased as he became more famous. The president of course is
instantly famous. That's probably as important as his c-in-c role.

These days, Republican presidents (think especially Reagan and Bush
II) are likely to be more popular among the troops than Democrats,
given the perception that they admire the military rather than despise
it. There was a lot of the latter among Clinton's staff, sometimes
expressed in so many words.


all the best -- Dan Ford
email: www.danford.net/letters.htm#9

see the Warbird's Forum at http://www.danford.net/index.htm
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