<p>And if so, would he have won?</p>
<p>And if he had won, how would things be different today?</p>
<p>I fell Patton would have never stood a chance against Ike. First off, Ike commanded all allied forces in the thatre, Patton commanded an Army, and as much as he may have won over the hearts of his soldiers, I highly doubt he would have ever won over the American public with his hard charging attitude. Ike, on the other hand, provided a much more “balanced” leader who seemed willing to understand the political and military realities of the cold war in a manner in which I doubt Patton would have mastered.<br>
Basically, I’m sorry to say that I feel Patton was a tactical genius, but he lacked the strategic forethough to understand the polictical ramifications that were facing this country in the same manner in which Ike, and then JFK, understood them. (and now I’m waiting for lightning to hit me for bad talking on of WP’s most cherished leaders…)</p>
<p>I don’t think Patton had what it takes to be a politician. This is not a bad thing, many great soldiers aren’t good at politics. Patton had numerous international and national “mishaps”. His only real place in the world was on the battlefield. In Germany up through WWII soldiers were not allowed to be involved in politics or vote. Politics far too often mess with soldiers in the field.</p>
<p>Interesting question----I would have thought it more likely that MacArthur would have stood a better chance against Ike but he obviouly wasn’t interested or (more probably) was “steered away” from any other post military ambitions after being relieved in Korea.</p>