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The Road to the White House
With the large amounts of money spent to conduct a presidential campaign, it's easy to imagine that one must be "born with a silver spoon in his mouth" to be elected president. However, the facts prove differently. Consider:*
Richard Nixon was born in the home his father built. He won an award from Harvard his senior year of high school. However, his family was unable to afford his leaving home for college. He instead attended Whittier College.
Ge rald Ford was born as Leslie Lynch King Jr. His mother left her abusive husband and took her son to live with her parents. She met Gerald R. Ford, whom she married and gave her child his name, Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. He was the only president to be adopted. Ford worked in his stepfather's paint and varnish store growing up.
Jimmy Carter was the first member of his family ever to go to college. His father was a peanut farmer.
Ronald Reagan was the son of an alcoholic traveling shoe salesman. He worked his way into show business by broadcasting baseball games. At the age of 40, he was divorced and his career was at a dead end.
Bill Clinton was born William Jefferson Blythe IV. His father, a traveling salesman, died in an automobile accident three months before he was born. His mother married Roger Clinton and Bill took that name. Clinton grew up in a turbulent family. His stepfather was a gambler and alcoholic who regularly abused his wife, and sometimes Clinton's half brother, Roger.
Reprinted from "No Excuses" by Ron White
These men overcame great odds to become leaders of the free world. You don't have to be the richest person, have a degree from the best schools, or come from the most prominent family. But you must have the grit and determination to see beyond your current circumstances and never give up! | 
