In this Economic Crisis, President Bush Finds Himself Short of Political Capital
"He's a lame duck with empty pockets," says one historian
But the situation isn't hopeless. Franklin D. Roosevelt, for example, realized that one of his main jobs during the Depression was to restore Americans' confidence in the future, and that's what the next president may need to do. In such a crisis atmosphere, "behind-the-scenes leadership is not sufficient," Zelizer argues. FDR managed to use his skills as a communicator to convince fellow citizens that despite the enormity of the problem, "eventually he would figure it out," Zelizer says.
FDR also found that flexibility was key. "Roosevelt was experimental," Dallek says. "If something didn't work, he moved on to something else." That may have to be the guiding philosophy of whoever is elected November 4.
Reader Comments
George Bush / Republican Party
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..President Bush had enough power to get the entire "republican" party to do his bidding - UNITY - the fact that it was going in the wrong direction of making the rich richer and destroying the working class had no effect on the party....
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..Mr. Bush is JUDGED TWO WAYS - IF you benefited from him he's your hero (never mind the fact that he actions were against the people and the country).. If you were in the working class their attitude of of Tough S**T can into play -.- illegal immigrants work for less than half your pay and are endorsed by the party....
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..If there was one wish, I would like to come true -.- It would be opening up the secrecy files Presidents Bush (BOTH) declared secret solely to cover their dirty deals....Haliburton moved its headquarters to Dubai to cover the records....
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...IF THERE IS ONE TRUE CRIME IT IS NOT REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE, ONLY THE SELECT FEW.... Alberto Gonzales hides the facts legally - will produce any opinion you want....Scooter Libby - good soldier following orders?.? (nazi claim to fame - just following orders)....Need a favor -.- Jack Abrahoff is your man (played both sides against the middle).. Karl Rove .-.not the person behind the money but behind the swiftboat attacks (his brillant idea)...should we leave off Bill Frist who promised to tie up the senate with a meltdown if he weren't obeyed.....
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...George Bush's My Way Or The Highway is now coming back home - the world is a circle - and another question the republicans worry about is "The War Crimes Tribunal in the Hague" TORTURE - ILLEGAL RENDITIONS -.- GITMO & Its Military Tribunails - that have been declared Un-Constitutional REPEATEDLY (if this does work try this - or this - or this - or this) One such Law was written by John McCain "declared un-0constitutional -.- "GEE" over twenty years in the SENATE unable to write a law to constitution standards (really would be a great pres?.?.? "in hell).
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President Bush
Who believes our enemies do not use the internet, read US papers, and watch US TV? President Bush knows what he is doing. Too bad we haven't stood behind our elected official(s) to do what he is there to do. In time we will see he was right amidst the confusion of most of our sandbox whining about the struggles to maintain our security and national strength. Remember, the twin towers? That was the World Trade Center. Are we not in difficult economic straits? Open your eyes!
Go ahead and make my day!
Don't worry, soon Democrats will control the White House, Senate, House, and the Supreme Court. There will be no chance of filibusters and no balance of power between the 3 branches of government. See you in Russia!
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