The White House Cigars

Ah, the cigar. Originating power and status, it's type of like a Rolls Royce, but much easier to put in your mouth. Because of this honored reputation, it's not amazing that cigars have been smoked by many of our nation's past presidents. Whether scraping at the back door or sneaking in through an open window, cigars have found their way into the White House during numerous presidential terms.

We all know that JFK was a passionate fan of Cuban cigars, and we know that Bill Clinton also put cigars to use - although strange use - but use nevertheless. However, what we might not recognize is that 20 of the earlier period 43 presidents have smoked cigars. From the Common War to the Cold War, presidents have turned to cigars in times of tryout and times of joy. While some smoked cigars less passionately, the following is a list of presidents who were zealous cigars smokers, stopping just short of elected Henry Clay for their presidential cabinets.

Zachary Taylor

The twelfth president, Zachary Taylor was famous as a hero of the Mexican War and nominated president in 1848. A soldier who had devoted his life to military service, Taylor was a passionate cigar smoker. However, ever a "man's man," he would only smoke cigars in the company of men who were also cigar smokers. Known as "Old Rough and Ready" because of his option of clothing, Zachary Taylor died in office after eating the ever-so-tasty mixture of cherries, milk, and marinate cucumbers.

Ulysses S. Grant

If ever there was a president who was a true cigar expert; it was almost certainly Ulysses S. Grant. A Common War hero, Grant was nominated as the 18th President in 1869. Never doing anything in restraint, he was believed to have smoked 20 cigars per day. In actual fact, one legend states that he smoked over 10,000 cigars in a period of five years.

In the duration of his movement for the presidency, his cigar smoking was used as a propaganda-laden ploy with the appearance of the song, "A Smoking' His Cigar." With lyrics that went, "The people make out just what they want. Less talk and no more conflict. For President, Ulysses Grant A-smoking his cigar," US Grant was described as a peaceable man, calm and composed during times of trouble. Once he was nominated, Grant took his love for the cigar even further and was infrequently photographed without a cigar in hand, or in mouth.

Chester Arthur

The 21st President nominated in 1881, Chester Arthur was society's president, known for plentiful clothing, midnight dinners, and meals filled with sparkling wine and expensive cigars. Fired for bribery and dishonesty in earlier years, Arthur grew to be identified "The Gentleman Boss," showcasing graciousness, social stature and the lavishness of the times. This eventually brought him, and the cigar, to a new level of respect and caused the columnist Alexander K. McClure to write, "No man ever entered the Presidency so deeply and widely distrusted, and no one ever retired… more commonly respected."

William McKinley

According to celebrity, William McKinley, the 25th President, was the motivation for the Wizard in the movie the Wizard of Oz. The imprecision of the Wizard is fitting for McKinley's elusive cigar smoking. While he was never took pictures of with a cigar, and infrequently seen in public smoking, when alone it is believed that he was medium obsessive about this lavishness. In actual fact, the White House Chief Usher once stated that McKinley had a craze for cigars unlike any other president. When he was in the White House, there was for all time one in his mouth.

Warren G. Harding

Warren G. Harding, the 29th President nominated in 1921, was extensively known as a President more anxious with playing poker and golf than management of the country. However, he did have some good qualities. One of these was the fact that, previous to declining health, he personally answered all letters from US society. Another good quality was that he was a cigar smoker, one who was so exacting about the smell of his cigars that he hauled his cigar humidor from Ohio to the White House.

Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon, the 37th President nominated in 1969, may have spoken the words, "I am not a crook," from the uppermost mountain top, but he never would have been caught saying, "I am not a cigar smoker." Although he was not a regular cigar smoker, he did indulge as a sign of friendship with other world leaders. In actual fact, Nixon's term was the last period in which cigars were presented after supper for men to enjoy in the Green Room.

From Presidents who fought in the Mexican battle to those who managed the Vietnam War, our leaders' hands have hold cigars for centuries. While Richard Nixon was the last President to smoke cigars, we can relax assured that there will be many more. Because we live in a Democratic state, where we have the authority of the vote, we can almost promise it.