George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin Roosevelt have what in common?
They are all strong presidents who followed generally weaker presidents.
Washington followed the Articles of Confederation, which had a president, but of Congress, not an executive. His term built the presidency. Lincoln followed James Buchanan who basically did nothing about seceding states, because he didn't think he had the right. At the same time, he didn't think they had the right to secede. Lincoln then saved the Union. Roosevelt followed Hoover, who is blamed for the Great Depression and failed to do much to make it better.
Roosevelt had great popularity because he wasn't Hoover. Washington was successful because the Constitution was fresh and he could interpret it however he wished. Lincoln was successful because most of his opposition seceded from the nation, and he forced himself into emergency powers.
When I consider these cases, I find it difficult not to draw a parallel to Barack Obama. George Bush isn't exactly a weak president, as he did get a lot done, but he was probably a poor one, like Buchanan and Hoover.
Unlike these cases however, Obama does not yet seem to be very successful. Perhaps he just needs his full term and maybe a second to prove his worth.
But what if Congress stays deadlocked?
Could Barack not follow these three examples and instead shift federal politics to be more like those of the Gilded Age?
The Gilded Age is notable for Congress' domination of politics. That, in turn, echoed of the presidents from Taylor to Buchanan. Is it perhaps time for the executive branch to become weaker again?
There's one major problem with weak presidents now that was not apparent last time. When the Gilded Age ended, expansionism began. The United States became firmly, and stays today, involved in the politics of the world. If the single man (or maybe woman) leading the executive branch is not strong, then the country will become weaker on the international field.
That singular leader is needed to be the representative of the United States. And he cannot be a pushover that the world takes advantage of, he needs to be strong but fair.
Thus, we must hope that Obama does follow the scheme of Washington, Lincoln, and Roosevelt. Because a Congress overtaking the president again could be bad for America.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Top 10: Coolest Looking VPs
In my last of the top 10 lists for a while, I examine the Vice Presidents, in terms of how awesome they look. Their names are links to pictures.
Presidential names in parentheses.
10. Millard Fillmore (Taylor)
This seems to be the only picture to do him justice.
9. James Sherman (Taft)
I don't know quite what it is about him. Maybe the spectacles just pull off the right effect.
8. Thomas Hendricks (Cleveland 22)
I think the hair/sideburns just work for Hendricks.
7. Adlai Stevenson (Cleveland 24)
Oddly enough, the baldness only makes him look more awesome.
6. Garret Hobart (McKinley)
Just like Adlai, but a step up in cool.
5. Thomas Marshall (Wilson)
He kinda seems like an ancestor to Eric Foreman on That 70s Show.
4. Charles Curtis (Hoover)
Just a good looking moustache.
3. Schuyler Colfax (Grant)
The only Vice President with a beard. This baffles me.
2. Chester Arthur (Garfield)
Gotta love the friendly mutton chops. Or the "Chester Arthur" as they are sometimes known. Which I plan to grow someday.
1. Levi Morton (Benjamin Harrison)
Chester Arthur just got out-"Chester Arthur"ed.
Presidential names in parentheses.
10. Millard Fillmore (Taylor)
This seems to be the only picture to do him justice.
9. James Sherman (Taft)
I don't know quite what it is about him. Maybe the spectacles just pull off the right effect.
8. Thomas Hendricks (Cleveland 22)
I think the hair/sideburns just work for Hendricks.
7. Adlai Stevenson (Cleveland 24)
Oddly enough, the baldness only makes him look more awesome.
6. Garret Hobart (McKinley)
Just like Adlai, but a step up in cool.
5. Thomas Marshall (Wilson)
He kinda seems like an ancestor to Eric Foreman on That 70s Show.
4. Charles Curtis (Hoover)
Just a good looking moustache.
3. Schuyler Colfax (Grant)
The only Vice President with a beard. This baffles me.
2. Chester Arthur (Garfield)
Gotta love the friendly mutton chops. Or the "Chester Arthur" as they are sometimes known. Which I plan to grow someday.
1. Levi Morton (Benjamin Harrison)
Chester Arthur just got out-"Chester Arthur"ed.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Top 10: Underrated
This list is very debatable. Let me make that absolutely clear. By no means is this list comprehensive or correct. But it is my best attempt to rank the top 10 underrated presidents by their recognition in the eyes of the common American.
10. James K. Polk
The last of the strong chief executives before the Civil War.
9. Richard Nixon
People seem to forget that he did anything as president other than resign due to Watergate.
8. John Tyler
The fact that he's a president is what he should be given credit for. His assertion in making himself successor to the deceased William Henry Harrison set the Vice President's position as first backup for a presidential death.
7. James Garfield
The man didn't have time to do much, I know. But he did manage to both play the political game in satisfying Stalwarts long enough to be elected, and then be president by not becoming Roscoe Conkling's dog on a chain.
6. William Taft
This big fella may have been a generally poor president, but we have to remember that he did more trustbusting than TR did.
5. Chester Arthur
He rose above party factions and possibly parties themselves. Then he reformed civil service. He also modernized the navy.
4. William McKinley
This man is the first modern president. He brought back power to the position, and thus ended the Gilded Age's streak of generally weaker presidents.
3. Lyndon Johnson
His work for civil rights, as well as his appointment of a black cabinet member, are often overlooked due to his involvement with the Vietnam War.
2. Millard Fillmore
He gave a boat to Commodore Perry, which would lead to relations with Japan. In addition, he supported the Compromise of 1850 (even while VP, doing so against the views of Zachary Taylor) which helped postpone the Civil War a bit
1. Benjamin Harrison
His signing of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act is what let TR, Taft, and Wilson go trust busting.
10. James K. Polk
The last of the strong chief executives before the Civil War.
9. Richard Nixon
People seem to forget that he did anything as president other than resign due to Watergate.
8. John Tyler
The fact that he's a president is what he should be given credit for. His assertion in making himself successor to the deceased William Henry Harrison set the Vice President's position as first backup for a presidential death.
7. James Garfield
The man didn't have time to do much, I know. But he did manage to both play the political game in satisfying Stalwarts long enough to be elected, and then be president by not becoming Roscoe Conkling's dog on a chain.
6. William Taft
This big fella may have been a generally poor president, but we have to remember that he did more trustbusting than TR did.
5. Chester Arthur
He rose above party factions and possibly parties themselves. Then he reformed civil service. He also modernized the navy.
4. William McKinley
This man is the first modern president. He brought back power to the position, and thus ended the Gilded Age's streak of generally weaker presidents.
3. Lyndon Johnson
His work for civil rights, as well as his appointment of a black cabinet member, are often overlooked due to his involvement with the Vietnam War.
2. Millard Fillmore
He gave a boat to Commodore Perry, which would lead to relations with Japan. In addition, he supported the Compromise of 1850 (even while VP, doing so against the views of Zachary Taylor) which helped postpone the Civil War a bit
1. Benjamin Harrison
His signing of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act is what let TR, Taft, and Wilson go trust busting.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Top 10: Ugly
Who are the top 10 presidents in terms of ugly? I know the question has been bothering you for so long. So I shall put this to rest for you. They are as follows.
10. Abraham Lincoln
9. James Buchanan
8. Grover Cleveland
7. Grover Cleveland (if he's 22 and 24, he can be ugly twice too!)
6. Martin Van Buren
5. Gerald Ford (who ironically, was a model)
4. Lyndon Johnson
3. William Taft (mostly due to his weight)
2. Richard Nixon
1. John Quincy Adams
10. Abraham Lincoln
9. James Buchanan
8. Grover Cleveland
7. Grover Cleveland (if he's 22 and 24, he can be ugly twice too!)
6. Martin Van Buren
5. Gerald Ford (who ironically, was a model)
4. Lyndon Johnson
3. William Taft (mostly due to his weight)
2. Richard Nixon
1. John Quincy Adams
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Gilded Age Test
Following is a set of 20 multiple choice questions about the Gilded Age. Submit your answers to me via whatever you want, and I'll give you your grade.
1. Approximately how many pairs of pants did Chester Arthur have while in office?
a 20
b 40
c 60
d 80
2. Why is the Pendleton Act significant?
a Reformed civil service
b Created the presidential life of succession
c Gave land to Native Americans
d Ended Reconstruction
3. Which listed presidential candidate won the popular vote, but lost the election?
a Benjamin Harrison
b Winfield Hancock
c Samuel Tilden
d Millard Fillmore
4. The Panic of 1873 occurred while ________ was president.
a James Garfield
b Rutherford B. Hayes
c Ulysses S. Grant
d Andrew Johnson
5. Industrialization was a major theme of the Gilded Age. When was the Industrial Revolution begun in America?
a Before the Civil War
b Before the Revolutionary War
c During Reconstruction
d After Reconstruction
6. Which of the following pieces of legislation did Chester Arthur sign?
a Dawes Act
b Chinese Exclusion Act
c Sherman Anti-Trust Act
d McKinley Tariff Act
7. What presidential election was won by 1 electoral vote, making it the closest in terms of electoral votes in history?
a 1876
b 1880
c 2000
d 1824
8. What presidential election was won by about 2000 popular votes nationally, making it the closest in popular vote in history?
a 1876
b 1880
c 2000
d 1824
9. Benjamin Harrison was grandson to William Henry Harrison, the nation's 9th president. What else made him special?
a He was the "Centennial President"
b He remained unmarried
c He had a Ph.D.
d He used more vetoes than any other president
10. What branch of the federal government was most in control during the Gilded Age?
a Executive
b Legislative
c Judicial
d Parliamentary
11. What did all the bearded presidents have in common (aside from beards)?
a Same party
b Not re-elected to a second term
c Assassinated
d Vice presidents without beards
12. "Good ballplayers make good citizens" according to Chester Arthur. However, he was not a ballplayer. Which of the following was he?
a Governor
b Lawyer
c Doctor
d Know-Nothing
13. What defines the end of the Gilded Age?
a William McKinley's presidency, because he was a strong executive
b Grover Cleveland's second term, because of economic troubles reshaping the country
c Anti-trust legislation being passed for the first time
d A series of clean-shaven presidents
14. Thomas Nast took down whom with a cartoon?
a Chester Arthur
b Roscoe Conkling
c Boss Tweed
d Adolf Hitler
15. "No man ever entered the Presidency so profoundly and widely distrusted, and no one ever retired... more generally respected," said Alexander K. McClure. Who was he talking about?
a Ulysses S. Grant
b Rutherford B. Hayes
c James Garfield
d Chester A. Arthur
16. A president was assassinated during the Gilded Age. Who was it?
a James Garfield
b Chester Arthur
c Grover Cleveland
d Benjamin Harrison
17. Which of the following did not have experience in the Civil War?
a Ulysses S. Grant
b Rutherford B. Hayes
c Grover Cleveland
d James Garfield
18. The Presidential Polonaise was written by whom?
a Chester Arthur
b John Sousa
c Francis Scott Key
d a scribe
19. How long did the Chinese Exclusion Act exclude Chinese?
a 20 years, subject to extension
b 10 years, subject to extension
c 10 years, non-renewable
d 20 years, non-renewable
20. February 22, 1885, Chester Arthur did what?
a Die
b Shave
c Dedicate the Washington Monument
d Refurbish the White House
1. Approximately how many pairs of pants did Chester Arthur have while in office?
a 20
b 40
c 60
d 80
2. Why is the Pendleton Act significant?
a Reformed civil service
b Created the presidential life of succession
c Gave land to Native Americans
d Ended Reconstruction
3. Which listed presidential candidate won the popular vote, but lost the election?
a Benjamin Harrison
b Winfield Hancock
c Samuel Tilden
d Millard Fillmore
4. The Panic of 1873 occurred while ________ was president.
a James Garfield
b Rutherford B. Hayes
c Ulysses S. Grant
d Andrew Johnson
5. Industrialization was a major theme of the Gilded Age. When was the Industrial Revolution begun in America?
a Before the Civil War
b Before the Revolutionary War
c During Reconstruction
d After Reconstruction
6. Which of the following pieces of legislation did Chester Arthur sign?
a Dawes Act
b Chinese Exclusion Act
c Sherman Anti-Trust Act
d McKinley Tariff Act
7. What presidential election was won by 1 electoral vote, making it the closest in terms of electoral votes in history?
a 1876
b 1880
c 2000
d 1824
8. What presidential election was won by about 2000 popular votes nationally, making it the closest in popular vote in history?
a 1876
b 1880
c 2000
d 1824
9. Benjamin Harrison was grandson to William Henry Harrison, the nation's 9th president. What else made him special?
a He was the "Centennial President"
b He remained unmarried
c He had a Ph.D.
d He used more vetoes than any other president
10. What branch of the federal government was most in control during the Gilded Age?
a Executive
b Legislative
c Judicial
d Parliamentary
11. What did all the bearded presidents have in common (aside from beards)?
a Same party
b Not re-elected to a second term
c Assassinated
d Vice presidents without beards
12. "Good ballplayers make good citizens" according to Chester Arthur. However, he was not a ballplayer. Which of the following was he?
a Governor
b Lawyer
c Doctor
d Know-Nothing
13. What defines the end of the Gilded Age?
a William McKinley's presidency, because he was a strong executive
b Grover Cleveland's second term, because of economic troubles reshaping the country
c Anti-trust legislation being passed for the first time
d A series of clean-shaven presidents
14. Thomas Nast took down whom with a cartoon?
a Chester Arthur
b Roscoe Conkling
c Boss Tweed
d Adolf Hitler
15. "No man ever entered the Presidency so profoundly and widely distrusted, and no one ever retired... more generally respected," said Alexander K. McClure. Who was he talking about?
a Ulysses S. Grant
b Rutherford B. Hayes
c James Garfield
d Chester A. Arthur
16. A president was assassinated during the Gilded Age. Who was it?
a James Garfield
b Chester Arthur
c Grover Cleveland
d Benjamin Harrison
17. Which of the following did not have experience in the Civil War?
a Ulysses S. Grant
b Rutherford B. Hayes
c Grover Cleveland
d James Garfield
18. The Presidential Polonaise was written by whom?
a Chester Arthur
b John Sousa
c Francis Scott Key
d a scribe
19. How long did the Chinese Exclusion Act exclude Chinese?
a 20 years, subject to extension
b 10 years, subject to extension
c 10 years, non-renewable
d 20 years, non-renewable
20. February 22, 1885, Chester Arthur did what?
a Die
b Shave
c Dedicate the Washington Monument
d Refurbish the White House
Sunday, January 24, 2010
The Good Samaritan
Know that story told by Jesus? The Good Samaritan?
In a nutshell, the people expected to help a dying man don't, and the person thought to be evil does help the dying man.
The Good Samaritan, then, could be likened to Chester Arthur.
When he first ascended to the presidency, the nation collectively groaned, saying "Well these four years aren't going to be worth a pile of horse poop as far as civil service reform."
But, as we know today, Chester Arthur is known as "The Father of Civil Service Reform" because it was under him that Congress passed the Pendleton Act in 1883. It was completely unexpected for the Stalwart president to go completely against the Stalwart platform of "To the victor goes the spoils" and actually take a knife and shove it through the heart of the spoils system.
In a nutshell, the people expected to help a dying man don't, and the person thought to be evil does help the dying man.
The Good Samaritan, then, could be likened to Chester Arthur.
When he first ascended to the presidency, the nation collectively groaned, saying "Well these four years aren't going to be worth a pile of horse poop as far as civil service reform."
But, as we know today, Chester Arthur is known as "The Father of Civil Service Reform" because it was under him that Congress passed the Pendleton Act in 1883. It was completely unexpected for the Stalwart president to go completely against the Stalwart platform of "To the victor goes the spoils" and actually take a knife and shove it through the heart of the spoils system.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Final Round
John Kennedy vs George H. W. Bush
I know the general assumption out there is that JFK wins because he's younger and more charismatic. But you have to be careful when you make assumptions.
These two men are very different. For one, they're of different parties, so we're looking at who can win the swing states. Neither man is going to convert states of the other party. Second, I look at Bush and see a fatherly figure, whereas Kennedy seems more like a big brother. And I don't mean that in a 1984 sense.
Bush has some Navy pilot experience, a couple of terms in the House, other assorted political jobs including Chair of the RNC, and two terms of vice presidency. Kennedy had a couple of terms in the senate, and Naval experience.
At this point, we must reflect of similarities to the Election of 1960. Richard Nixon was also an older (than Kennedy) Republican, with experience in the armed forces, a couple Congress terms, and two VP terms. Nixon lost in a close election, quite possibly due to Kennedy's better appearance in the television debates.
Now that we've acknowledged that, let's notice the differences between Bush and Nixon. Bush was a bit more active as Vice President, perhaps making him more qualified. He's better with the television debates than Nixon was, at least in terms of appearance. So he and Kennedy would be on an even television playing field.
Another aspect of the Election of 1960 that helped Kennedy win it was his Vice Presidential pick of Lyndon Johnson to appease the South. However, we are matching up only the presidential candidates, and the South has become less dominated by the Democratic party as time has passed.
All these factors compounded, we're gearing up for one of the closest elections in history. All the Republican states comfortably go to Bush, and all the Democratic states comfortably go to Kennedy. But the swing states would have much less of a clear result. Some would go each way.
In the end, Kennedy performs very well.
But not quite as well as George Bush. The debates would only affect the votes of some of the most moderate candidates. Everyone else would have been predisposed to think in favor of one candidate or the other. Bush and Kennedy would break fairly even in these debates, both on television and on the radio. And thus, with Kennedy losing his main buffer in 1960, he loses to George H. W. Bush by just a few electoral votes and not many popular votes either.
Congratulations to George H. W. Bush for winning the Presidential Super Tournament.
P.S. Yes, I know you all disagree with me. No, I didn't make it happen this way just to piss you off/make you scratch your head/contradict your thoughts.
I know the general assumption out there is that JFK wins because he's younger and more charismatic. But you have to be careful when you make assumptions.
These two men are very different. For one, they're of different parties, so we're looking at who can win the swing states. Neither man is going to convert states of the other party. Second, I look at Bush and see a fatherly figure, whereas Kennedy seems more like a big brother. And I don't mean that in a 1984 sense.
Bush has some Navy pilot experience, a couple of terms in the House, other assorted political jobs including Chair of the RNC, and two terms of vice presidency. Kennedy had a couple of terms in the senate, and Naval experience.
At this point, we must reflect of similarities to the Election of 1960. Richard Nixon was also an older (than Kennedy) Republican, with experience in the armed forces, a couple Congress terms, and two VP terms. Nixon lost in a close election, quite possibly due to Kennedy's better appearance in the television debates.
Now that we've acknowledged that, let's notice the differences between Bush and Nixon. Bush was a bit more active as Vice President, perhaps making him more qualified. He's better with the television debates than Nixon was, at least in terms of appearance. So he and Kennedy would be on an even television playing field.
Another aspect of the Election of 1960 that helped Kennedy win it was his Vice Presidential pick of Lyndon Johnson to appease the South. However, we are matching up only the presidential candidates, and the South has become less dominated by the Democratic party as time has passed.
All these factors compounded, we're gearing up for one of the closest elections in history. All the Republican states comfortably go to Bush, and all the Democratic states comfortably go to Kennedy. But the swing states would have much less of a clear result. Some would go each way.
In the end, Kennedy performs very well.
But not quite as well as George Bush. The debates would only affect the votes of some of the most moderate candidates. Everyone else would have been predisposed to think in favor of one candidate or the other. Bush and Kennedy would break fairly even in these debates, both on television and on the radio. And thus, with Kennedy losing his main buffer in 1960, he loses to George H. W. Bush by just a few electoral votes and not many popular votes either.
Congratulations to George H. W. Bush for winning the Presidential Super Tournament.
P.S. Yes, I know you all disagree with me. No, I didn't make it happen this way just to piss you off/make you scratch your head/contradict your thoughts.
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