In the first 200 years of the United States, just three presidents survived more than two decades after leaving office. The odds for ex-presidents have improved considerably since then.

Jimmy Carter has been out of office 32 years, and George H.W. Bush passed the two-decade mark this year. Bill Clinton and George W. Bush both are still going strong and Gerald Ford lived nearly 30 years after leaving office.

There's a lot happening in the ex-presidents club these days, thanks to increasing longevity, the personalities of the current members and expanding opportunities for influence. This isn't new, however. Andrew Johnson became a Senator after his presidency; William Howard Taft became a Supreme Court Justice. In addition, John Quincy Adams served in the House and Teddy Roosevelt created the Bull Moose Party.

[Associated Press]

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