The Candidates
The race is on for the nomination of a Republican to
challenge our incumbent President Barack Obama. In
previous blogs I have reviewed his birth order. He has a
One/Only double birth order as 6 years separate him
from his younger stepsister. For much of his teenage
years he lived with his grandparents as an Only child in
these candidates wants to win they will need to debate
our current President who has a One/Only birth order.
There are eight candidates that have risen and fallen in
the polls as they have been vetted by both the media and
their opponents. We have had a few glimpses into their
personal lives but these have been just a snapshot of
who they are. With birth order we can get their life’s
fingerprint.
Can Birth Order be a Predictor of Elections?
To answer this question we need to take a look at past
Presidential elections. I have found that since the
election of Ronald Reagan the candidate with the
higher birth order has always won the election. When
Ronald Reagan, a second born with an older brother
defeated Jimmy Carter a firstborn, the Country was
experiencing record inflation and high unemployment
and Ronald Reagan was a very charismatic challenger.
Birth Order Analysis
To those of you that have my book Life’s Fingerprint:
How Birth Order Affects Your Path Throughout Life,
you can find all the characteristics of the birth orders
explained in detail. For those who are unfamiliar with
this book you need to understand that the gender of the
siblings is one of the defining aspects as to how each
person develops birth order characteristics. In my
analysis I will give you the gender of each candidate’s
next closest sibling. Next I will give a few of the
personality characteristics of their birth order and
then show examples in their life where they have
expressed these traits and how it may affect their
ability to get elected.
personality characteristics of their birth order and
then show examples in their life where they have
expressed these traits and how it may affect their
ability to get elected.
Looking at the Candidates
In order to be completely fair I am going to approach
each candidate in alphabetical order. A discussion of
their birth order and the characteristics that they will
show to the public and those that they will try to keep
hidden and a few more items of interest. I will also
assess both their chance to be nominated and their
chance of winning the Presidency.
Michele Bachmann #2
Michele Bachmann is a second born. She has a brother
that is two years older, David and two younger brothers.
As the only girl in the family she has a special place. She
also has the ability to understand the other gender and
is prepared to function in a male dominated arena.
Life began idyllic for Michele but at age 14 her parents
divorced. Her mother remarried three years later.
Michele was both a straight A student and a cheerleader
in school. She won Miss Congeniality in the Anoka
born I suspect she dethroned her older brother as she
was both the student and the athlete. Second borns
have a very clear sense of right and wrong so she will
stick to her ideology. After high school she worked
with an evangelist youth group and went to Beer
Sheva
Treasury Department. Currently a member of the
House of Representatives. This number two will not
be told what to do. Her strong unyielding positions
will make her un-electable to both the majority in
her party and to the general public.
Herman Cain #1
Herman is the older brother to Thurman by 18 months.
Thurman died in 1999 so Herman moves up to function
as an Only birth order. Because he has no sisters the
female gender can be a mystery to this firstborn. He
will have difficulty reading this gender but would be
curious none the less. The firstborn is usually the better
student in school. This was certainly true for Mr. Cain.
It does not appear his throne was threatened by his
younger brother. In fact, he may not have let Thurman
excel in anything. He writes that Thurman died too
soon as the result of alcohol and drug abuse. Herman
was the achiever, a mathematician for the Navy,
computer system analyst for Coke, VP of Pillsbury,
CEO of Godfathers Pizza, Chairman of the National
Restaurant Association, Chairman of the Kansas City
Federal Reserve board, writer and public speaker.
Firstborns love to give orders and are the natural CEO,
they don’t like to be wrong and have difficulty admitting
any error. His recent bout with the media on sexual
harassment charges showed his inability to admit to any
wrongdoing. Although a leader with a high drive, the ego
of this firstborn will not allow him to admit his mistakes
which backs him into an irreversible position that even
his keen sense of humor won’t resolve. His chances for
the nomination and the election are slim now that the
public has seen how he reacts to a crisis.
Newt Gingrich #1/0
Newt is our first double birth order on our list. Newt was
born to a teenage mother whose husband divorced her
three days after Newt was born. She remarried the
following year Newt. This is how he gets the One/Only
double birth order. People with this combination can
reach people in two generations giving them both the
adult view of the Only child and a more contemporary
view of the younger generation. They don’t take
criticism as personally as the firstborn. Newt would
be a match for the debate with our current President
as they both share the same birth order. They have
a calm approach and rarely get ruffled . We have seen
this time and again as Newt has been challenged with
changing his position on a number of issues. Former
Speaker of the House of Representatives he has been
an insider inWashington for years and this means he
has a record. Smooth talking and excellent debating
skills may not be able to gloss over his past history.
Because he has one of the higher birth orders of this
group and one that matches Barack Obama, his
chances for the nomination are high and he could
actually win the Presidency.
criticism as personally as the firstborn. Newt would
be a match for the debate with our current President
as they both share the same birth order. They have
a calm approach and rarely get ruffled . We have seen
this time and again as Newt has been challenged with
changing his position on a number of issues. Former
Speaker of the House of Representatives he has been
an insider in
has a record. Smooth talking and excellent debating
skills may not be able to gloss over his past history.
Because he has one of the higher birth orders of this
group and one that matches Barack Obama, his
chances for the nomination are high and he could
actually win the Presidency.
John Huntsman #1/0
John Huntsman is another One/Only birth order. He is
one of nine children, the second was a sister Kathleen
Ann who was six years younger. His life really shows
the independence of this birth order position. He started
life as a high achiever reaching the rank of Eagle scout
at age 15. Growing up in Palo Alto, California may have
given this baby boomer a different view of what is
important in life. As a teenager he was the keyboard
man in the rock band Wizard. In anger, he dropped out
of High School in his senior year before graduation
because he lost the school election for Class President.
He spent the next year playing with his band and
supporting himself as a dishwasher. Looking back he
started to think of himself as a “loser” but later he got
his GED and college education.
After college he served as a Mormon Missionary in
language. He has served under Presidents in both
parties which may make his party think twice about him.
His independence as a One/Only will give him the
staying power but this man with the unusual
background has yet to catch on with his party. If
more moderate views become popular his brand would
increase. As a One/Only he would be a match to debate
the current President but because of his stand on the
issues his nomination is not likely.
staying power but this man with the unusual
background has yet to catch on with his party. If
more moderate views become popular his brand would
increase. As a One/Only he would be a match to debate
the current President but because of his stand on the
issues his nomination is not likely.
Ron Ernest Paul #3
Ron Paul is the third of five boys all born within 7 years.
The story of his life shows he moved up in birth order to
the number two position. Moving brother David number
two into the three position. David is now employed as
the assistant pastor at the Trinity Lutheran Church in
Grand Rapids Michigan . Ron always had a job while
he was growing up from inspecting milk bottles, a
paper route, and working in a local drug store. Earning
money gives the second born a level of independence
that is so important to the control of their own space.
A track star in high school he was also on the wrestling
and swimming teams. After college he entered the
military and ended his service as an obstetrician.
During the course of his practice he delivered over
4,000 babies. He is a constitutionalist and has never
wavered from his convictions. His brothers describe
him growing up as a very stubborn young boy,
another characteristic of a second born. Although he
mayhave moved up in birth order he still carries a few
characteristics of the third born. He sees life with a very
altruistic view, the big picture, and that is why he is so
different from the other candidates. He also appears to
have a very stern appearance but that is just the shield
that the third born puts up to protect himself. Having no
girls in his family gives him a blind spot to the subtleties
of the female gender. He will have difficulty getting their
vote and have them see his side of the issues. As a
functioning number two he is not going to compromise
his position but hopes others will see the “light”. I score
him low on getting the nomination and although
knowledgeable on the issues he would have difficulty in
a debate with the President.
Rick Perry #2
Rick Perry is the second born with a sister Milla two
years older. As a boy Rick was another high
achieving second born as he reached the level of Eagle
Scout. Growing up in West Texas it was easy for him
to dethrone his older sister. He grew up in Paint Creek,
having only 13 other students in his graduating class.
An athlete at school he played six man football. He then
went on to Texas A&M. He was elected twice to serve
as an Aggie Yell leader and was a member of the Aggie
Corps of Cadets. His grades prevented him from
enrolling in veterinary school but instead he joined the
Air Force. Returning to Texas he worked on the ranch
until he entered politics as a Democrat and changed to
the Republican party in 1990. After George W. Bush
became President he served out the remainder of his
term as the Governor ofTexas . He then won three full
terms as governor, a record that will be hard to beat.
As an elevated second born he has functioned well in
the first born leadership position. His style is still more
of a second born, working with others to find solutions,
not telling people what to do. As a conservative and
second born he will not compromise his basic positions.
Some have compared him to Ronald Reagan, another
number two birth order. If he does get the nomination,
which is not out of the question, he will have a difficult
time in a debate with a One/Only President. His good
old boyWest Texas practical manner may work for
him as he does not appear artificial and he will not
waver on his positions. In his favor, as it was with
Reagan, is the high level of unemployment in the
country. His track record with theTexas economy
shows what he can really do. If he can show a more
charismatic personality and get the people to rally
behind him he could win the nomination. With all this
in place he is the antithesis of our current President
and could actually win the Presidency.
term as the Governor of
terms as governor, a record that will be hard to beat.
As an elevated second born he has functioned well in
the first born leadership position. His style is still more
of a second born, working with others to find solutions,
not telling people what to do. As a conservative and
second born he will not compromise his basic positions.
Some have compared him to Ronald Reagan, another
number two birth order. If he does get the nomination,
which is not out of the question, he will have a difficult
time in a debate with a One/Only President. His good
old boy
him as he does not appear artificial and he will not
waver on his positions. In his favor, as it was with
Reagan, is the high level of unemployment in the
country. His track record with the
shows what he can really do. If he can show a more
charismatic personality and get the people to rally
behind him he could win the nomination. With all this
in place he is the antithesis of our current President
and could actually win the Presidency.
Mitt Romney 4/0
Mitt Romney is the fourth child in his family. He was born
after his mother was told she could no longer carry a
baby, the risks were too high. This explained the shock
when the news came that Willard Mitt Romney was
born. He was named Willard after a family friend that
established the Marriott chain of hotels and a cousin Mitt
who was the star quarterback for theChicago Bears. He
has two older sisters and one older brother all spaced
three years apart. Mitt was born 6 years after the third
child G. Scott Romney. This gives Mitt the double birth
order of a four/only. He is very different from all his
older siblings that have single ordinal birth orders. With
six years between siblings Mitt is 60% an Only child and
40% a fourth born. These two birth orders are the
farthest apart so he will show very different behavior
when the different birth orders come into play. The Only
side gives him a very controlled adult like approach
baby, the risks were too high. This explained the shock
when the news came that Willard Mitt Romney was
born. He was named Willard after a family friend that
established the Marriott chain of hotels and a cousin Mitt
who was the star quarterback for the
has two older sisters and one older brother all spaced
three years apart. Mitt was born 6 years after the third
child G. Scott Romney. This gives Mitt the double birth
order of a four/only. He is very different from all his
older siblings that have single ordinal birth orders. With
six years between siblings Mitt is 60% an Only child and
40% a fourth born. These two birth orders are the
farthest apart so he will show very different behavior
when the different birth orders come into play. The Only
side gives him a very controlled adult like approach
where he feels in charge and has a lot of confidence.
The four birth order is the baby in the family and the
traits are very different. When you combine these two
birth orders you get a child not afraid to talk to older
adults and who appears very confident. In reality,
the baby has people taking care of him and does not
want to make the big decisions. The baby likes to
have fun and play. If not an athlete he would love to
follow sports. This was true for Mitt, in high school
he was the manager of the ice hockey team but in his
final year he ran track. Not a great student but had
strong social skills. As a child he enjoyed playing
pranks on others. These two contrasting birth orders
may be the reason why he is accused of changing
positions on issues. This type of person is hard to pin
down as he has a tendency to yield to the pressure
and please others. He is not the idealistic type so
appears more moderate. Former Governor of
The four birth order is the baby in the family and the
traits are very different. When you combine these two
birth orders you get a child not afraid to talk to older
adults and who appears very confident. In reality,
the baby has people taking care of him and does not
want to make the big decisions. The baby likes to
have fun and play. If not an athlete he would love to
follow sports. This was true for Mitt, in high school
he was the manager of the ice hockey team but in his
final year he ran track. Not a great student but had
strong social skills. As a child he enjoyed playing
pranks on others. These two contrasting birth orders
may be the reason why he is accused of changing
positions on issues. This type of person is hard to pin
down as he has a tendency to yield to the pressure
and please others. He is not the idealistic type so
appears more moderate. Former Governor of
business helping turn around companies. He describes
himself as a numbers cruncher. He is well connected
in the party as his father served in the Nixon White
House. He may not be a charismatic candidate
but may have too big an organizational lead for anyone
to catch him. As part of the “old guard” he has a good
chance to be nominated by his party. In a debate with
our current President he would succeed if he uses the
Only side of his double birth order.
to catch him. As part of the “old guard” he has a good
chance to be nominated by his party. In a debate with
our current President he would succeed if he uses the
Only side of his double birth order.
Rick Santorum #2
Rick Santorum is the second of three children in his
family, one year younger than his sister Barbara.
Here is another example of an elevated second born
to the firstborn position just by virtue of his gender.
This elevation gives him the need to lead and becoming
a Senator from Pennsylvania gave him that outlet. If
someone is a second born they never lose the basic
characteristics, they just get modified. Rick is a firm
believer in his own convictions and doesn’t change
them easily. Growing up his parents worked for the
Veterans Administration and the family was transferred
several times before settling in Pennsylvania .
Transferring from school to school and living at a
child. Making new friends and fitting in would be
something this number two would have to excel. He is
known for his very conservative stands on the issues.
So far he has not caught fire on the campaign trail.
Could it be this number two, projecting as a number
one, just doesn't come across to the public in a way that
they trust his him? He seems a long shot for the
nomination as well as the Presidency.
So far he has not caught fire on the campaign trail.
Could it be this number two, projecting as a number
one, just doesn't come across to the public in a way that
they trust his him? He seems a long shot for the
nomination as well as the Presidency.
A Charismatic Leader is What America Needs
The US economy with its 9% unemployment and
massive 15 trillion dollar debt is in need of a
charismatic leader. I can recall three Presidents
that displayed this characteristic, Abraham
Lincoln, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan.
They united the American people behind a
common cause. They had something else in
massive 15 trillion dollar debt is in need of a
charismatic leader. I can recall three Presidents
that displayed this characteristic, Abraham
Lincoln, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan.
They united the American people behind a
common cause. They had something else in
common, they were all second borns. Will one
of these eight contenders emerge to carry the
banner? If so, look to the candidates with the
number two birth order. They present the
idealism and strength not to compromise
their principles. We cannot ignore the birth
order of the candidates to select the winner.
Newt Gingrich has the highest birth order
as a One/Only with Mitt Romney the next
highest as a Four/Only. This will be a battle
to the very end with these two and whoever
meets Barack Obama will know that they
have met their match!
of these eight contenders emerge to carry the
banner? If so, look to the candidates with the
number two birth order. They present the
idealism and strength not to compromise
their principles. We cannot ignore the birth
order of the candidates to select the winner.
Newt Gingrich has the highest birth order
as a One/Only with Mitt Romney the next
highest as a Four/Only. This will be a battle
to the very end with these two and whoever
meets Barack Obama will know that they
have met their match!
www.mybirthorder.com