Big E for President

This week marks the 27th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death. Elvis was a true icon and a recognizable figure the world over. By the early 60s, he had done it all. His music dominated the charts, he shook his pelvis on national TV, and he starred in a series of Hollywood movies.

At the time of his death in '77, Elvis was well past his prime. He was in horrible physical shape and was abusing several prescribed medications. Depending on who you asked, his live shows were either depressing or flat out hilarious. Elvis' glory days were long behind him.

It’s hard not to wonder what Elvis would have accomplished had he lived to see the 1980s. Would he have cleaned up his act and gotten back in shape? Would he have mounted another comeback special and topped the remarkable one from ’68? It’s tough to imagine that he wouldn’t have. Elvis would have done so much more had he made it past '77.

Elvis would have successfully run for mayor of Memphis, and then he would've been elected governor of Tennessee. He would have been the first honest politician, taking care of business while wearing his studded jump suit and updating the people via daily televised press conferences.

One day, he would've run for president. While frying up peanut butter and banana sandwiches and being interviewed by CNN, Elvis would have laid out his plan for America. Hiding behind his trademark shades and talking through snarled lips, Elvis would have united the country with his vision. God knows what that vision would have been, but it would have united democrats and republicans alike. (Heck, even the Green party would have been down with Big E's policies.)

Once elected, President Presley would have operated out of Graceland, far from the corruption of Capitol Hill. His guidance would have steered this great nation through some of its most prosperous times. Elvis Aron Presley would have served two consecutive terms and would have been remembered as the most successful president in history.

Rest in peace, Big E, you earned it.