crippling our military

[s_stabeler]

possibly, although I suspect that of the two, Obama is more likely to have a ship named after him. Clinton is largely remembered for the Lewinsky scandal. I don't think that the military want a ship named after someone famous for a sex scandal. Obama might, I suspect it'll depend on what Obama is known for when he leaves power.

[Jaden]

The thing about Clinton is that, yeah, people still make jokes about the sex scandal and it was a big deal back then, but nowadays, it seems like people absolutely love Bill Clinton. Maybe it's 90's nostalgia, I dunno. I don't think this extends to the military, though - they tend to lean more Republican, so they may not care for him that much.

[Hyena Dandy]

I think they will, eventually. Just not in the foreseeable future.

There's only so many names out there, after all. :P I totally expect a USS Barack Obama or a USS William Jefferson Clinton in around 2050, when most of their policies and politics have become a memory, and it's more time for celebrating our nation's history than it is about endorsing a viewpoint.

[Anthony K. S.]

nowadays, it seems like people absolutely love Bill Clinton

Something I always found a bit strange :

During his Presidency, the media frequently referred to him as "unpopular," and as far as I could see, it never did seem like he had very much support among the electorate.

But since he left office, I've seen quite a few newspaper articles referring to Bill Clinton as "one of the country's most popular Presidents," or something to that effect.

I always found that odd.

Rose-colored glasses, perhaps. People often tend to idealize the past. I'm not old enough to remember what kind of press Ronald Reagan got, but I remember reading that his approval ratings were actually rather average during his time in office, but he was viewed as profoundly more popular afterward.

[lordlundar]

Do you think the Navy will ever name a carrier or any capital ship after Bill Clinton or Pres. Obama??? (not trying to start anything just wondering.)

I can see it, but no time soon at least for Obama. The country is FAR too divided and naming a ship after him won't help matters.

Right now, the political view in the USA has almost half the country seeing Obama as single handedly destroying the country. It's going to take a major shift away from that view before a ship will be named after him.

[mikoyan29]

I can see it, but no time soon at least for Obama. The country is FAR too divided and naming a ship after him won't help matters.

Right now, the political view in the USA has almost half the country seeing Obama as single handedly destroying the country. It's going to take a major shift away from that view before a ship will be named after him.

This is part of the reason I wish the Navy would stop naming ships after politicians. Kennedy I can understand, since he was in the Navy and was a hero of sorts. Teddy Roosevelt I can also understand since he was a huge proponent of the "Great White Fleet". A submarine named after Carter also makes sense, since I believe he was an officer on a nuclear sub. I can also understand Lincoln and Reagan. The Ford and Bush are pushing it though. But as they say, "fish don't vote".

[Rapscallion]

I thought the president was the commander in chief of the armed forces? If that's correct, then it's not so unreasonable.

Rapscallion

[AdminAssistant]

I thought the president was the commander in chief of the armed forces?

He is, which is why I don't see naming ships after Presidents to be a big deal. I'm also curious as to why Reagan (an actor/politician) is more appropriate than Obama or Bush. I can see leaving Ford off the list primarily because he was never elected. He was appointed VP upon Agnew's resignation, then became President after Nixon's resignation. I know plenty of people who don't consider him a 'real' President since he wasn't elected by the people.

[bara]

I think a sub named after Clinton would work.. bonus because of the scandal.

[Jaden]

Personally, I don't think you should name ships after people who are still alive. Something about it just seems weird to me.

[mikoyan29]

Back in the day:
Carriers - Named after previous famous ships
Battleships - States
Cruisers - Cities
Destroyers - Military folks who have won some sort of honor
Submarines - Fish

I believe that changed in the 70's....

[Tanasi]

During WWII George H.W. Bush was a Navel Aviator and flew off a carrier. He was shot down while flying an Avenger (I think.) Gerald Ford was also in the Navy during WWII but I'm not sure what his job was.

Carriers were names for previous ships and famous battles.

As to my question neither Clinton nor Obama are known as friends of the military. I was still in during Clintons first term and he was riding on GHWB/RR military and most within think he squandered it. The grumblings I hear about BO and his staff is that they micro-manage too much, take too much credit for the good and leaves them twisting in the wind during the bad. (I'm not saying I agree nor disagree. Also to note I have two kids in the military one in the Army Reserves and the other US Marine Corp.) To give a flat out answer I'd say no neither one will have a capital ship named for them, maybe a smaller ship.
Now a twist if Hillary is elected president and does a fairly good job, I'd say they would name a ship for her. (IMO she has more balls than either her husband or BO.) Then again she's also she's not proven to be a friend of the military.

Mik now I think they name carriers for presidents or previous ships, Cruisers for past battles, Destoyers for deserving folk and past destroyers and Boomer subs after states and HK for cities.
I'm sure it will change again very soon if it's not already changed. There's a lot of politics involved in naming ships.

[Rapscallion]

I think a sub named after Clinton would work.. bonus because of the scandal.

Paint the torpedoes white for full effect, or perhaps make it look like a cigar?

Rapscallion

[Jaden]

Paint the torpedoes white for full effect, or perhaps make it look like a cigar?

Rapscallion

Paint the torpedoes white, launch millions of them simultaneously, and make all but one detonate before it reaches its target.

For the sake of the joke. I'm sure the military is willing to waste all that money for the sake of the joke

[Rapscallion]

It would certainly strike terror in the hearts of the enemy.

Scares me.

Rapscallion