When the President of the United States comes to your city, no matter what city and no matter which president, it’s a big deal.
Not only does it make lots of news and attracts supporters to events where they speak, and often some protestors as well, it also means detailed planning and extra security.
President Biden’s arrival in San Diego late this afternoon is not the first time of course that a sitting U.S. President has visited our city.
Every president since Franklin Roosevelt has visited San Diego at least once, some multiple times. Donald Trump was here a couple of times when he was president, so was Barack Obama and George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
Most of the time, when a president has come to San Diego, it’s either directly or indirectly tied to his campaign for an election or an appearance for a candidate of his party. And that’s case today as President Biden comes to town just days before the election to support a candidate who’s in a very tight race.
But there have been times when a president comes to San Diego to provide support to the community after a disaster when George W. Bush came to town after one of the big wildfires. And when President John F. Kennedy came to town to speak at commencement ceremonies at San Diego State, in 1963 just a few months before he was assassinated in Dallas Texas.
A U.S. president is the head of state and the commander in chief and is seen as the leader of the free world. And even with our divided politics, a presidential visit can serve as a reminder of how wise our founders were when they formed our country.
WATCH SLIDESHOW: The 16 sitting U.S. Presidents who have visited San Diego.
(Photo Getty Images)
Photo: AFP via Getty Images