Many years ago, in 1957, I found myself on an unexpected stop at a town in Nicaragua. The stop here on the little countries west coast at its capital city had been planned as a “treat” for our reserve trainees and our crew on the USS Johnnie Hutchins but recent unrest (a shooting war between the government troops and some disgruntled local citizens) had left the city of Managua in disarray. In fact, one of Managua’s outstanding tourist attractions (its capital building) had been fired on by some antigovernment rebels and they blew a hole all the way through it. I could stand on my little Destroyer Escort and see all the way through this magnificent building. Very memorable.

The trouble for Nicaragua concerned politics. Like us, they had elections— sometimes. However, when the going got tough it was necessary for the seated rulerpresident to cancel the election to help maintain the safety of the people and, of course, make sure he was able to keep his job in perpetuity. Sure, saved on all that campaigning stuff I supposed.

This hanging onto your office by “declaring an emergency” and “cancelling the election” is not all that uncommon down there. I decided to stay aboard and only a few of our reservists were bold enough to venture out on the mean streets of this disheveled city. Instead, I got myself a chair and a Coca-Cola and just relaxed and studied the old city with a good pair of Navy binoculars. I concentrated my thoughts about this town. The idea of getting elected head of state down in that area and then declaring yourself “President for Life” was common. But it sure was dangerous. And it was hard on business.

My ship also made frequent trips to beautiful Cuba. We nearly always called on the big Navy base at Guantanamo for supplies. Our trips to San Diego De Cuba were popular with the reserve trainees we sometimes had on board. Our favorite visits by far were to the beautiful city of Havana. Cuba’s president, a guy named Batista enjoyed his office a lot too but his competition, a communist named Fidel Castro, wanted to be president at the same time but rather than file for the office he was just going to take it. Fidel had a growing army of armed followers. Eventually the seated president (Batista) got scared and he just left one night for Miami. So, Cuba got the unelected Fidel. New president for life.

All this presidential shuffling got me to thinking about my America as I sat there enjoying my Coke. How fortunate we were to have our political stability. George Washington’s friends wanted him to just keep the job—and he could have. But he knew it would be bad for America and refused. So, ever since then we have had regularly scheduled presidential elections. When the guy in office term ran out, he simply stood aside. In fact, it’s normal in the USA for the outgoing president to drive over, pick up his successor and the two drive over to the capital together for the inauguration. A small circle of friends on the deck of the USS Hutchins were discussing this phenom when one sailor asked: “What happens if we ever get a president who won’t give up his office?”

No one had an answer. The question was silly, I thought. Never happen, another said. But we just hadn’t lived long enough to see it. Regardless of how the current election goes, President Trump will forever be remembered as the first who tried such an act. Didn’t work. His detested opponent Joe Biden went ahead and won and now the two of them are at it again. But, once more, it’s an organized, legal, constitutional event where one will lose and the other wins. It is expected if Trump wins, then Mr. Biden will step aside (graciously) and participate in the constitutional inauguration and not lead an insurrection on the capitol steps like Mr. Trump did 4 years ago. Biden will likely be too tired, anyway.

Here’s hoping all my readers are enjoying this winter weather. Pat and I are just staying close to the fire. Be sure and go to church Sunday and take care of yourselves in this cold weather.

Wayne Bullard, DPh

cwaynebullard@gmail.com