GOP presidency unsurprising

Though the Donald Trump election shocked many, it should have been no surprise to see another Republican occupying the White House. Since the party nominated its first candidate, John C. Fremont, in 1856, Republicans have won 23 of the last 40 campaigns. Ever since we all liked Ike in 1956, the GOP also has a narrow edge, winning eight of the 15 races.

Considering that the majority of Americans align themselves right of center and have been so inclined for nearly the entirely of the republic, it’s not surprising that more conservative GOP candidates are chosen more often.

Never holding an elective office until the presidency were five of these 23 winners, including retired generals Grant and Eisenhower and a wealthy businessman, Herbert Hoover. Several like Carter and Reagan were also elected after spending most of their lifetime outside political office, so the Trump election is not such a stretch.

The electorate sometimes gets it wrong, but the country has been fortunate to have had some really great, predominantly fair to middling to good, and very few really bad presidents. We all hope Trump is not among the latter group.

Dale Roloff

Spokane