Just lurking around here, which I still do on occasion. Just wanted to point out that Nixon was an ex-military man: he reached the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy during WWII. In fact, after the war (and after leaving military service) he campaigned for his first Congressional seat in uniform, and introduced himself as "Lieutenant Commander Nixon." His wartime exploits weren't as noteworthy as Kennedy's though; I think he worked in some Pacific Ocean supply depot.

I think LBJ was ex-military also. As was Carter, for that matter (US Navy, nuke sub program). And, of course, we have had many military men run for President and lose: recent examples who won the nomination but lost the election include McGovern, Dole, Gore, and Kerry.

I'm ex-military myself, and I'd make a lousy President.