Back in 2008, during the hotly contested presidential campaign between Obama and McCain, I corresponded a little bit with an Alabama contact who likes discussing politics. He had been watching the PBS special on American presidents - click here - and wanted to know if I had. In fact, I had just watched the one on FDR, and it was fascinating. It added to what I learned from visits to FDR's Little White House in Warm Springs, the numerous WWII specials I had watched on the History Channel, and the bits of various books about the Great Depression and WWII that I had picked up and read. I do remember, too, talking with Uncle Watty about FDR, specifically about Governor/Senator Huey Long of Louisiana and his rise to prominence, and how he posed a threat to FDR's political power. That conversation with Watty revealed some of the conspiracy theories that swirled around in those days, especially after Huey Long was assassinated.
Anyway, the following is a little bit of my correspondence with the Alabama "pundit."
FDR was a cunning politician. Also, the campaigns in the old days were very fierce according to records. Abraham Lincoln was called an ape and Jefferson's name was dragged through the mud. I think today's fighting is just a continuation.
Of course, with FDR, JFK and presidents prior to them, the press was less apt to disclose personal info. Hard to believe that FDR was able to hide his physical affliction from the masses. A big part of me thinks that we Americans, if truly given a fair chance, would try hard to side with an underdog - in FDR's case, a handicap. The irony is that FDR was a very talented politician and even with his crippling disease could still outmaneuver most in the political game. Nonetheless, he went to great lengths to conceal his physical condition from the public eye.
People want to think their leaders are very strong physically, and politicians are keenly aware of this. Joseph Stalin was a short man and tried to conceal this when possible. High boots helped. Apparently, though, his height was a bit of an issue for the "man of steel."
If you have a chance, see Hyde Park on Hudson. Bill Murray - yes, that one - stars as FDR! What are your thoughts on FDR? Interestingly enough, on our trip to Boston in 2011, Kade, Uncle Jim and I, when we were in Albany, New York, were very close to the Hyde Park Home of FDR and Presidential Library & Museum. It was just a couple of hours away, but in the opposite direction of where we needed to start our day when we were leaving Albany for a scenic drive to Boston. We had to put the trip to Hyde Park aside. Later, in New Haven, Connecticut, we were just an hour's drive from Mark Twain's Hartford home. But a tight schedule, commitments in New Haven and then just pure exhaustion from having already driven a lot, eliminated going there. I guess we have reasons to go back!
Of course, with FDR, JFK and presidents prior to them, the press was less apt to disclose personal info. Hard to believe that FDR was able to hide his physical affliction from the masses. A big part of me thinks that we Americans, if truly given a fair chance, would try hard to side with an underdog - in FDR's case, a handicap. The irony is that FDR was a very talented politician and even with his crippling disease could still outmaneuver most in the political game. Nonetheless, he went to great lengths to conceal his physical condition from the public eye.
People want to think their leaders are very strong physically, and politicians are keenly aware of this. Joseph Stalin was a short man and tried to conceal this when possible. High boots helped. Apparently, though, his height was a bit of an issue for the "man of steel."
If you have a chance, see Hyde Park on Hudson. Bill Murray - yes, that one - stars as FDR! What are your thoughts on FDR? Interestingly enough, on our trip to Boston in 2011, Kade, Uncle Jim and I, when we were in Albany, New York, were very close to the Hyde Park Home of FDR and Presidential Library & Museum. It was just a couple of hours away, but in the opposite direction of where we needed to start our day when we were leaving Albany for a scenic drive to Boston. We had to put the trip to Hyde Park aside. Later, in New Haven, Connecticut, we were just an hour's drive from Mark Twain's Hartford home. But a tight schedule, commitments in New Haven and then just pure exhaustion from having already driven a lot, eliminated going there. I guess we have reasons to go back!
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