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Next Stop, Mt. Rushmore

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Media
Posted on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 09:25:30 AM EST
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Booman:

At this point in his presidency I think it is fair to say that Obama is already in the conversation as best president since Abraham Lincoln.

Heh.

Speaking for me only

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    Next Stop, Mt. Rushmore | 56 comments (56 topical)

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    Best Reagan Republican (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by observed on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 09:58:16 AM EST
    since Reagan--wooohoo!!

    According to the NYT puff piece, (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by KeysDan on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:56:36 AM EST
    President Obama's Holiday read is the biography "President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime," by Lou Cannon.  Of course, his reading is bipartisan in that he is also wadding through "The Clinton Tapes," by Taylor Branch.  

    I hope he finds these tomes more interesting than I did--Reagan was a biography of his presidency not so much  of the man. But I do hope that President Obama  does not miss the major warts of both Reagan the man and president that Cannon brings forth.

    Taylor Branch was more about Taylor Branch than President Clinton, although it did chronicle the President's thoughts in great detail--almost all of them.  Better books are around on Clinton, in my view (e.g. Death of American Virtue, Starr v Clinton). But hopefully, the Branch read will instruct the president that the times and circumstances are different from those encountered by President Clinton, for one,  he will not have Gingrich to kick around, for two, he is not Clinton.

    Parent

    Role of a Lifetime (none / 0) (#25)
    by Pacific John on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 11:03:29 AM EST
    is an excellent biography. Oddly, both fans and foes love it. I guess you can see in it what you want to. So I'm thinking it's just right for Obama.

    Parent
    Haven't read the Cannon (none / 0) (#26)
    by brodie on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 11:18:52 AM EST
    book but I note that it's now 10 yrs old, the guy is/was a reporter for the mostly Beltway CW WaPo who covered RR for the paper and for NPR, not a historian with a detached fresh view who can go deep.  Be interested though to know what Cannon said about Iran-Contra, and whether he thought Ronnie and Poppy escaped what should have been impeachment or whether they were properly not investigated.

    Re the Clinton Tapes, I found it a disappointing read, though now and then it's fascinating to be able to go behind the scenes and get direct from Bill what he was thinking (except for certain areas, including Monica).  I seem to recall a juicy comment an angry Bill made to Branch during impeachment, about some of the "limp-d---ed" Dems who were appearing in the media to offer soft, nuanced "support" for him.

    Never have had the interest to revisit Clinton v Starr in any great detail, let alone a book of 800 pgs or whatever.  Reading the Lyons book way back, then the rather depressing Conason tome was enough for this lifetime.

    Parent

    I'd recommend instead of Cannon (none / 0) (#30)
    by brodie on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 11:45:28 AM EST
    that Obama read Will Bunch's fine Tear Down This Myth from last year.  Probably a lot less mealy-mouthed on the one hand/other hand that Cannon tends to serve up (as I recall from his prior writings and radio commentary), though Barack may not like some of Bunch's sharper observations about the Reagan presidency and how a lot of it has been transformed by later friendly propagandists into some FDResque period of popular transformative politics.  And politically, Obama may prefer just to stick with sort of MOR, rather bland or uncontroversial tomes.

    Parent
    I'd also recommend (none / 0) (#55)
    by DFLer on Sat Dec 25, 2010 at 07:50:37 AM EST
    Gary Wills' "Reagan's America"

    Parent
    this reminds (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:00:12 AM EST
    me of the GOP circa 2002/2003 and how Bush was the greatest President evah!!

    I thought of this actually (5.00 / 4) (#10)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:07:59 AM EST
    The genius Bush:

    It must be very strange to be President Bush. A man of extraordinary vision and brilliance approaching to genius, he can't get anyone to notice. He is like a great painter or musician who is ahead of his time, and who unveils one masterpiece after another to a reception that, when not bored, is hostile.


    Parent
    Ha! (none / 0) (#16)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:16:29 AM EST
    That must've been what I was thinking about :).

    Anyway, too bad you're not blogging over there anymore. The quality of the work on the site just isn't the same as it used to be.

    Parent

    HA----they do the best blogging (none / 0) (#17)
    by observed on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:18:10 AM EST
    since Boswell!

    Parent
    ... in a conversation... (5.00 / 3) (#5)
    by Pacific John on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:01:38 AM EST
    ...held by Booman's action figure collection.

    Good lord (5.00 / 4) (#6)
    by andgarden on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:04:02 AM EST
    I don't see how that could be said with seriousness.

    if one is delusionsal and detached from reality, (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by pluege2 on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 06:45:47 PM EST
    such a person can create anything

    Parent
    Heh, I was wondering (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by brodie on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:05:34 AM EST
    when Btd was going to note this one.  And, yes, I weighed in over there, but tried to temper most of my negative reaction since the guy has a small blog and he's entitled, like Cher, to fall in love with who he falls in love with.

    Hey! (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by sj on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 11:38:17 AM EST
    Be very careful what you say about Cher!

    Parent
    Hey, big fan of hers (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by brodie on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 11:51:12 AM EST
    (and assume she knows this by now ...) and remember her fondly, in real time, from my youth (along with partner Sunni).

    Here is my favorite song she did from one of my fave tv shows of the time.

    Parent

    Her partner Sunni? (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by Peter G on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 06:08:21 PM EST
    The Congressman?  Wasn't his name "Shiite"?

    Parent
    Really? (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by Zorba on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 06:36:30 PM EST
    No Shiite?   ;-)

    Parent
    Heheh (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by lilburro on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 01:52:22 PM EST
    that was my reaction too...I mean, we all forget about the Great Depression sometimes...? o_O

    Anyway, happy holidays Booman, and to all at TL.  Be safe and warm!

    Parent

    A friend e-mailed it to me (none / 0) (#13)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:09:53 AM EST
    this morning.

    I was busy all day yesterday so I have seen nothing at all actually.

    Something actually important may have happened but I don't know. Not in the mood to find out either.

    I'll be putting up an Open Thread in a while and that will be it for me till Sunday.

    Parent

    Obama fails miserably (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by observed on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:06:49 AM EST
    in rising to the urgent needs of our time:1) global warming; 2) energy policy; 3)income/wealth inequality. Like his hero , Reagan, this shallow dilettante may create a feel-good 4 or 8 years which actually accelerate our slide into disaster.

    Seriously, Obama MAY be (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by observed on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:09:22 AM EST
    better than Bush; this is where there is a legitimate question.

    Not a legit question, but (none / 0) (#32)
    by Ben Masel on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 12:06:35 PM EST
    is he better than Gerald Ford?

    Parent
    Interesting. Dunno (none / 0) (#33)
    by observed on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 12:16:29 PM EST
    Another comparison: MUCH worse than GHW Bush.

    Parent
    reagan, bush, bush, ford... (5.00 / 2) (#50)
    by pluege2 on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 06:50:16 PM EST
    its clear that the ONLY comparisons of obama to other presidents is with republicans...
    because obama is indisputably a republican.

    Parent
    and Clinton (5.00 / 2) (#51)
    by Politalkix on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 09:20:24 PM EST
    because Clinton was "indisputably a Republican".

    Parent
    Heh. (5.00 / 4) (#18)
    by Jackson Hunter on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:20:53 AM EST
    I didn't know snark was a stocking stuffer, because that's enough snark from Boo to collapse the whole fireplace.  Too bad it's not snark from his perspective, which is more to pity.

    I know Mr. Obama got some stuff done (finally) the last couple of weeks after a stretch of quite a few months of not doing so (mostly positive except for that tax giveaway to the rich) but it only begs the question why they couldn't have gotten this done before the election, when it might have, you know, helped the Party's cause?  Oh, that's right, they were going to avoid '94's fate because "You have me" according to Obama.  Yeah, that worked out just dandy.

    Happy Holidys everyone, I'm finally back online after being off for a while, I'll try to contribute more if I can.

    Jackson

    Welcome back (none / 0) (#19)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:22:51 AM EST
    Happy Holidays

    Parent
    Getting Stuff Done (none / 0) (#53)
    by cal1942 on Sat Dec 25, 2010 at 06:36:10 AM EST
    Like the tax "deal" that makes all matters worse.

    Parent
    Well he is really good (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:49:13 AM EST
    for the payday loan industry.  The credit card "reforms" have been a boon.

    The only description that fits for me (5.00 / 2) (#34)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 12:48:49 PM EST
    when it comes to the Boomans and the Black Water Dogs and their action figure collections :)

    Sing it Robert

    boomantribune (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by The Addams Family on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 02:30:49 PM EST
    a proud agency of the OFB

    Obama Fellation Bureau

    Parent

    from the comments (5.00 / 3) (#35)
    by The Addams Family on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 12:56:47 PM EST
    on Booman's tongue bath:

    it's nice that those who made a big noise got what they wanted this Congress: 9/11 responders storming the Senate, gay service members chaining themselves to the WH fence, big corporations with their big money. But what impresses me the most is that those with no voice -- the unemployed, the hungry, the average working folks who want to send their kids to college, etc. -- they have a champion in the White House. This is something that Progressives should be recognizing, applauding, encouraging, assisting. Instead, too many are carping.

    so let's see - 9/11 responders & gay service members are exactly like big corporations - they all wanted something

    guess i missed all those stories about the big corporations tying themselves to the White House fence - i must have been busy carping when i should have been clapping louder for my champion in the White House - my bad

    though i do seem to remember something about big corporations storming the senate, if the corporate lobbyists count

    Oh, that Booman...he never (5.00 / 2) (#39)
    by Anne on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 03:17:55 PM EST
    disappoints, does he?

    I'm sure my chuckling at Booman's delusions is one more item on the list of "Reasons Anne is Going To Burn in Hell," but I think the list is so long now, it doesn't matter...

    I needed a chuckle - the Christmas dinner that was supposed to be at my brother's house has been moved to mine, as they are having a "little septic system issue;" I'm actually happy to be able to do it - they feel terrible about the whole thing (not to mention that they may be looking at $5,000+ of expense to fix it), and since everyone contributes something to the meal, the only additional work will be cleaning more than I would have planned to, and getting it all set up.

    So...on that note, and because I have much to do before tomorrow, I will wish all those who celebrate a very Merry Christmas;  And to all - regardless of your religion or non-religion - I wish the great love of family and friends, good health, good food, good cheer and prosperity in the coming year.

    Here's something I read in the paper this morning that brought tears - good ones - to my eyes; enjoy!

    Same to you Anne (none / 0) (#43)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 05:50:00 PM EST
    and your brother's issue is why I hope to never own another house with a septic system. Our last house had it and when we went looking for another house, if it said septic, I immediately rejected it.

    Parent
    Uh... (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by lentinel on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 04:09:33 PM EST
    How about Mt. Rushless?

    President? (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by Edger on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 06:01:47 PM EST
    President Spokesmodel.

    On reflection, Rushmore would probably be the only mountain he'd ever go to...

    obama's lasting legacy will be: (5.00 / 4) (#48)
    by pluege2 on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 06:42:55 PM EST
    the destruction of social security.

    Pretty ironic given that the moron "booman" thinks the only president in competition to be greater than obama is FDR.

    Especially when you look at the alternatives (1.00 / 0) (#4)
    by kdm251 on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:01:26 AM EST
    Obama deserves a lot of credit for saving the country from a crazy women and a bad pilot

    I sort of hate to bring this up (none / 0) (#11)
    by Pacific John on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:09:19 AM EST
    ...or even say anything serious in the thread, but with all of Obama's Nixon-goes-to-China stuff on FISA, Romneycare, education, SS, et. al., sooner or later the question begins to loom in everyone's mind, would we have been better off with '08's unprecedented liberal majority organized to oppose President McPalin?

    You know, as opposed to squandering the only such opportunity in the history of the country?

    Parent

    NO serious stuff please (5.00 / 2) (#14)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:12:57 AM EST
    I posted this so we could laugh together.

    Booman is a good guy I think but I really enjoy reading his stuff for the unintentional humor.

    I admit it makes me chuckle.

    Parent

    Plus (5.00 / 9) (#15)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:14:59 AM EST
    Booman's stuff let's me concentrate on my secret passion, headline writing.

    I liked this one a lot.

    In my next life, I will be a headline writer for the NYPost ("Headless Body Found In Topless Bar").

    Parent

    I secretly aspire (none / 0) (#21)
    by Towanda on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:49:05 AM EST
    to write bumper stickers.

    Parent
    Heh (none / 0) (#23)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:52:21 AM EST
    It's an art form.

    Parent
    What was the NY Post... (none / 0) (#27)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 11:33:09 AM EST
    ...headline for the Rex Ryan story?

    /Stay strong Rex--don't let the prudes get you down!

    Parent

    No - the Post got smoked on the story, badly (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by scribe on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 03:55:08 PM EST
    This was a scoop in the finest, oldest tradition of scoops.

    The way it played out was that Deadspin ran with it Wednesday night and the NYDN then picked it up as their lead yesterday, Thursday.  Then it was only today, Friday, that the Post got a chance to put up a headline.

    By that time, of course, every headline for every J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS story in both tabloids was some sort of foot-derived pun.

    And the NYT was struggling, madly, to somehow report the story without actually coming out and talking about, well, making foot-fetish videos and posting them on the internet.

    It's the kind of thing that makes one proud to be a reader of the tabloids.

    Parent

    IIRC... (none / 0) (#45)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 06:05:27 PM EST
    ...it was Deadspin that broke the Brett Farve story as well.  

    Oh those pesky bloggers!

    Parent

    Yes, they did. (none / 0) (#52)
    by scribe on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 09:59:59 PM EST
    The thing is, they got that story out of Sterger herself (it was a media-on-media B.S. session which she thought was off the record but wasn't) and then sat on it for like 10 months trying to (a) get her to go along with it and give them the pictures and (b) get third-party confirmation.

    Nice discipline on their part.

    Parent

    Before we go down the road to Rushmore, (none / 0) (#41)
    by scribe on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 03:58:56 PM EST
    let's remember that this is an old joke encapulated in this image and others like it.  They have been floating around, posted on wingnut boards and in their gathering places for well over a year now.

    Parent
    That's a question (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by cal1942 on Sat Dec 25, 2010 at 06:55:27 AM EST
    a number of us have contemplated.

    McCain wouldn't have dared to touch SS.

    After two years of even steeper decline in the economy, Congressional Democrats would have moved to the left and increased their majority in 2010.

    Parent

    Well, (none / 0) (#1)
    by NYShooter on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 09:31:34 AM EST
    it is the season for fairy tales

    Like young Virginia (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by Towanda on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:47:55 AM EST
    Booman believes in Santa Claus, just because he really, really wants to believe.

    Perhaps it is admirable, in a way, that he continues to believe despite the peer pressure -- like the fifth-grader who still believes in Santa Claus years after the rest of the kids faced reality.

    Parent

    If it were a monument (none / 0) (#8)
    by robotalk on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 10:05:51 AM EST
    to denial, yes.

    Obama is so good, the letter (none / 0) (#29)
    by observed on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 11:42:02 AM EST
    O oughta be retired!

    Oh Gawd! (none / 0) (#36)
    by Brookhaven on Fri Dec 24, 2010 at 01:48:42 PM EST
    I wonder what the secret ingredients that go into making someone half-baked like this and part of the pod people.  He's a nut. http://tinyurl.com/35lsy6y

    Although Booman unintentionally had me giggling (and I'm not one given to a giggle but it sure felt good) and lmao at his cuckoo-land tribute to the world's almost bestest POTUS.  Poor man. He's in desperate need of an upper story calonic.  

    I love the title of your post, BTD.  Thanks for that.  Heh.  

    Merry Xmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!  And, for pity sake, whatever you do, please stay away from the rarefied air Booman is inhaling.

    Whats truly depressing (none / 0) (#56)
    by leewesley on Sat Dec 25, 2010 at 02:05:46 PM EST
    is that he could be correct. Our presidents have been that bad.

    Next Stop, Mt. Rushmore | 56 comments (56 topical)

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