Issue(s): Captain America #250
Cover Date: Oct 80
Title: "Cap for president!"
Credits:
Roger Stern - Writer
John Byrne - Penciler
Josef Rubinstein - Inker

Review/plot:
Captain America is convinced by the New Populist Party to run as a presidential candidate.

Despite the groundswell of support that arises when the possibility is announced, Cap eventually decides not to run on the grounds that he tries to represent something bigger than politics.

It's a good story. It doesn't address any of the technical problems that would arise from a masked man running for president, but that's fine because it never gets to the point where he actually becomes a candidate. The politics of the New Populist Party aren't really described. Generally speaking, the support for Cap is about electing a candidate that people can trust; it's not talked about in terms of specific issues.

For a political junkie like me, it's a little too generic, but that's to be expected.

We get some reaction from Cap's fellow Avengers...

...as well as a "man on the street" collage that includes some unusual men.

There's some nice downtime scenes with Steve, Bernie, and their neighbors as well.

Quality Rating: B+

Historical Significance Rating: 4 - it's the Cap 'runs' for President issue.

Chronological Placement Considerations: Dum Dum Dugan, appearing in a scene where the reactions of Fury, DD, Spider-Man, and Dr. Strange are shown, is wearing a cast. I don't know the significance of that. As for the Avengers, this should take place during the downtime issue of Avengers #197, before the Beast and Wonder Man go out on their double dates. It's after Iron Man decides to step down as chairmen of the Avengers. Thanks to an appearance by J. Jonah Jameson and Joe Robertson at the Bugle, needs to take place after Amazing Spider-Man #207 (thanks to Michael for pointing that out).

References: N/A

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

Since Robbie and Jonah appear at the Bugle, this should take place after Amazing Spider-Man 207.

Call me crazy but I think the trademark of Byrne's style are his smiles.
John Byrne: The Byrne-Smirk.
Jack Kirby: Kirby Crackles.
Gil Kane: Kane...Nostrils!

@ David Banes -

Don't forget the Infantino angular, jutting chin.

This issue has always seemed to me to be influenced by the Maggin/Adams story "What Can One Man Do?" (from Green Lantern #87, Jan. 1972), in which Green Arrow struggles with whether to accept an offer to run as mayor of Star City. The similarity is further underscored by the use of an extensive quotation at the end of both stories, from Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms" in the earlier tale and from JFK's "Profiles in Courage" here.

Adams:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DqX_uqa5gK0/UGXH4M10zJI/AAAAAAAAC14/8ZPcIJrP7Ac/s640/012.jpg