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Tuesday, July 03, 2007
The arc of Presidential history
NIXON:
Imposed Wage and Price Controls to try to fight inflation - authoritarian to the core.
Reelected by historic margins, carrying every state except Mass and DC.
His rock star VP ("nattering nabobs" Agnew) was thrown out of office for petty corruption.
Impeachment begun.
Resigned in disgrace.
Quaker.
FORD:
First act in office - pardon of Nixon: "...an American tragedy in which we all have played a part. It could go on and on and on, or someone must write the end to it. I have concluded that only I can do that, and if I can, I must."
During his first 14 months as President he vetoed 39 measures - "A major goal was to help business operate more freely by reducing taxes upon it and easing the controls exercised by regulatory agencies."
Whip Inflation Now: "Consider it something like waving a dead cat at Old Faithful to get it to erupt." - (Dexmon)
Bumped his head (or that of Chevy Chase) a lot.
Episcopal.
Excellent golfer.
CARTER:
Democrat.
Baptist Lay preacher.
Gave away "our" Panama Canal to the Panamanians.
Lost Iran to the Iranians.
Wimpishly boycotted Olympics when Soviets invaded Afghanistan.
Wore sweaters like Mr. Rogers, and encouraged Americans to do likewise.
Battled a rabbit.
Was president while inflation gave birth to the permanent "two earner family".
Good, smart, honest, frank, fair, hardworking, caring, devout man. These traits made him an historically awful President.
REAGAN:
Iran-Contra:
My fellow Americans: I've spoken to you from this historic office on many occasions and about many things. The power of the Presidency is often thought to reside within this Oval Office. Yet it doesn't rest here; it rests in you, the American people, and in your trust. Your trust is what gives a President his powers of leadership and his personal strength, and it's what I want to talk to you about this evening.
For the past 3 months, I've been silent on the revelations about Iran. And you must have been thinking: "Well, why doesn't he tell us what's happening? Why doesn't he just speak to us as he has in the past when we've faced troubles or tragedies?" Others of you, I guess, were thinking: "What's he doing hiding out in the White House?" Well, the reason I haven't spoken to you before now is this: You deserve the truth...
...
One thing still upsetting me, however, is that no one kept proper records of meetings or decisions. This led to my failure to recollect whether I approved an arms shipment before or after the fact. I did approve it; I just can't say specifically when. Well, rest assured, there's plenty of recordkeeping now going on at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Allowed Poindexter and North to run his foreign policy from the basement.
Considered a deity.
Not a religious man.
BUSH I:
Episcopal - "I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God."
Pardoned a bunch of Reagan officials for Iran-Contra offenses (real or imagined; convicted or suspected)
Spook.
Was (and is) a bought and paid for Moonie.
Made a Good War in Iraq.
Skull and Bones.
Silver foot in mouth (RIP Ann Richards)
CLINTON:
Impeached.
Acquitted.
Good economy (record stocks, rising wages, low inflation, Federal surpluses).
Successful foreign relations (in many, many ways).
Most hated President ever (73% approval rating after impeachment hearings)
Backslid Baptist.
Invaded various countries.
Declared self Supreme Dictator.
Charismatic Bullshit Bible Beater.
Skull and Bones
Dares Dems to impeach him.
Commuted sentence (preserving Fifth plea) of convicted felon who lied/obstructed justice in case closely tied to his administration.
Okay. Here's the pattern:
R: Offense to the Constitution
R: Presidential Pardon
D: Struggle (little success)
R: Offense to the Constitution
R: Presidential Pardon
D: Struggle (great success)
R: Offense(s) to the Constitution; Presidential
Hey!
GWB is breaking the rules. We're supposed to have another Republican President next time, and HE's supposed to pardon all the Republican felons.
This cowboy has no respect for American Institutions.
- posted by de Selby @ 9:46 PM
