[Politics] Your favourite US President?

[jakarta]

I Like Ike...

 

[Big Sky Albion]

Your observations fascinate me generally--and I'm sad thinking of trying to have a similar discussion of "favorite prime minister" with some of my compatriots.

Obama, in my lifetime I think anyway. His flaw was thinking he could negotiate and compromise with the GOP. They had no interest, and he squandered a substantial congressional majority trying to play ball.

And to the above point about Lyndon Johnson. Most (all?) of his phone calls were recorded, even the ones that had little to do with running the country. So you can find gems like this conversation with a clothier. I'll say this, the guy knew what he wanted in a pair of pants.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR_myjOr0OU

 

[sparkie]

David Palmer.

Although his brother Wayne had a certain charm as well.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Dwight D Eisenhower.

Remarkable man and was involved in some of the most pivotal moments in modern history.

Was the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe in charge of planning the Invasion of Normandy.

Was heavily involved in gaining the Korean treaty that ended the Korean War and still stands today.

Dialled back Cold War hostilities and the threat of nuclear war with the Soviet Union during his Presidency after his meeting with Khrushchev.

One of his final speeches was a warning of the power of the industrial war complex growing and how bad it was. It's influence in US politics today proves Ike was spot on with his foresight.

His 5 Supreme Court appointments were all strong pro civil right advocates.

When then Democrat Governor Orval Faubus used the Arkansas National Guard to block 9 black students (Little Rock Nine) entry into a school Eisenhower eventually sent in Federal Troops to escort them to school.

Unlike LBJ and Truman he wasn't a racist.

High character guy.

 

[vegster]

Have read about most post war ones. Obama for me. Elected weeks after financial crash. Just reading his book. So many made it difficult for him. I think Republicans didnt support him once in 8 years

I'm working my way through his book too, it's equally full of hope and despair. For instance the partisanship of the Republicans despite the crisis of 2008 is truly shocking. Pages 242 and 276 highlight this problem. Mitch McConnell came over as a complete a hole even back then so we shouldn't be surprised that he voted against the 2nd Trump impeachment then immediately laid the blame for the Capitol riots at Trump's door.

It really does show that the USA is broken and there is no chance of any cross party unity whatever the issue. Its really not a good future.

 

[Danny Wilson Said]

Yes love American history and been lucky to visit Deadwood, Big Horn, Monument Valley, Tombstone etc. If you want to read an interesting book try, Lies my Teacher told many Names W Loewen. Worth a read.

I visited the Kennedy assassination museum in Dealey Plaza in Dallas. Absolutely fascinating, and quite eerie to see the place where Lee Harvey Oswald fired from (although I personally go with the theory that the final, mortal shot was an accidental discharge from the car behind Kennedy's). I was amazed to learn in these days when police close roads for ages after a slight fender-bender to discover that traffic was flowing again after a couple of hours. And that the police put Oswald in front of a press conference after his arrest!

 

[A1X]

Eisenhower would be my choice, although FDR and Obama are very close too

 

[Raleigh Chopper]

Obama for turning The White House into a great soul music venue.
Clinton for using a cigar as a dildo and his Saxaphone solos.
Abraham Lincoln for also appearing in Star Trek.

 

[Pint of Ale and a Burger]

2 great books about the development of the US that cover well the meeting of Atlantic cultures are Howard Zinns 'a people's history of the US' and the absolute classic 'the many headed Hydra' by Peter Linebaugh and Marcu Rediker. The latter is also great on the development of the slave trade, pirates and witches in both the Americas and Britain.

Thanks the many headed hydra looks like my sort of thing.cheers

 

[Raleigh Chopper]

I visited the Kennedy assassination museum in Dealey Plaza in Dallas. Absolutely fascinating, and quite eerie to see the place where Lee Harvey Oswald fired from (although I personally go with the theory that the final, mortal shot was an accidental discharge from the car behind Kennedy's). I was amazed to learn in these days when police close roads for ages after a slight fender-bender to discover that traffic was flowing again after a couple of hours. And that the police put Oswald in front of a press conference after his arrest!

I have not been but would like to.
But did the museum point out that he got shot due to his own stupidity, he was warned many times not to go to Dallas due to extreme right wing activists and if he did go to travel in an armoured car and whatever you do, do not have the roof down and stand up waving.
He refused all of that.
Also he was a massive womaniser, he shagged every woman he met, even his staff, except one and yet still managed to stay with Jackie and the American public were also none the wiser.
Why do you do it, why do you put everything at risk asked the member of his staff who turned him down and became a close friend.
I just can't help myself he replied.

 

[Kuipers Supporters Club]

Lincoln - saved the Union.

FDR - rescued the country financially and led them through the war.

Notable mention for Ford - Doesn’t get a lot of credit but ended his political career with his first act as President which allowed the country to heal after Watergate.

Teddy Roosevelt - Roosevelt was a great personality, a great activist, a great preacher of the moralities, a great controversialist, a great showman. He dominated his era as he dominated conversations...the masses loved him; he proved to be a great popular idol and a great vote-getter.


Obama had a woeful foreign policy, tried hard and spoke a good game but his legacy over Libya / Syria means he can’t be considered.

 

[albionalbino]

Yes love American history and been lucky to visit Deadwood, Big Horn, Monument Valley, Tombstone etc. If you want to read an interesting book try, Lies my Teacher told many Names W Loewen. Worth a read.

I ordered the book on your recommendation, having had a quick preview and liked the look of it, completely coincidentally I've been looking, unsuccessfully for a book on American history for a few months.
Thanks for your post.

 

[Easy 10]

Morgan Freeman is always great too though, to be fair.

 

[Raleigh Chopper]

No mention of Ronny yet.

https://youtu.be/ZblPwNLH6hg

 

[mrhairy]

I ordered the book on your recommendation, having had a quick preview and liked the look of it, completely coincidentally I've been looking, unsuccessfully for a book on American history for a few months.
Thanks for your post.

Thanks. Its not an easy read but interesting. I love Native American history and have been lucky to visit many reservations and sites. Some joyous some sad. My favourite novel is 'Neither Dog Nor Wolf' with the forward by Robert Plant. A novel that will make you think about not just the white road or red road but also your own road. It is one of three. So well worth reading. Slow start but will stay with you forever and you will read it as Robert Pant does many times. Also a great film.