The Civil War and After

Civil War timeline


Between 1876 and 1892, no president won a majority of the popular vote:

1876 Hayes........... 48.0*
1880 Garfield........48.3
1884 Cleveland.....48.5
1888 Harrison.......47.8*
1892 Cleveland......46.1

*Won fewer popular votes than his main opponent.

Personalities and Feuds

In class yesterday, we discussed the political impact of personal conflicts and long memories. For instance, Bill Clinton's endorsement of Gavin Newsom in part reflects his bitter 1992 contest with Jerry Brown:

http://www.epicjourney2008.com/2009/09/clinton-newsom-and-brown.html

Brown played rough on other issues as well. From the New York Times (March 23, 1992):

"Mr. Clinton is presenting himself as the friend of the Afro-American community," Mr. Brown told the congregation of the Memorial Baptist Church on West 115th Street as he stood before a lighted cross. "Well, even George Bush wouldn't dare play golf at an all-white golf club."

Mr. Clinton, who has been winning more than half of the black vote in the primaries, has conceded that it was wrong for him to play golf a few times a year for several years at a whites-only club in Little Rock, Ark., and has vowed not to do it again.

Mr. Brown said that unlike most states, Arkansas does not have a state civil rights statute. He also said that in the Georgia primary campaign Mr. Clinton appeared in a newspaper photograph, standing in a prison before a group of inmates, all of them black."What's the message of that?" Mr. Brown asked the congregation, which interrupted with applause and shouts of "yes!" and "amen!" "He's saying: 'We have them under control, folks. Don't worry.' "

Party leaders give Mr. Brown little chance of winning the nomination, fearing his only role now could be to weaken Mr. Clinton and thereby help President Bush.
Mr. Brown said in an interview that he resented such talk, adding: "What is this, the Politburo? There is only the candidate picked by the power structure?"

"I'm not the spoiler," he continued. "Slick Willie's the spoiler. If he gets the nomination, he's going to ruin the whole Democratic Party."

Early 19th Century Presidency

If you think that the president got rough treatment...



Attack ad



War of 1812





Look here for maps showing the territorial growth of the United States.

The Presidential Stare Down

So last night was the President's health care speech. While I still need time to digest it and think about its merits, one certainty from last night is that Rep. Wilson (R-SC) made a gaffe and got the most intense Presidential stare down I've ever seen.



In related news, his opponent raised $100,000 last night.

Modern Take on an American God

In light of today's discussion on America's reverence of George Washington, I thought that this video would serve as a modern incarnation of the cherry tree myth. Instead of chopping down trees, though, here he flies on rainbows. This video is all true facts about the man.

Warning: strong language and images...if you're manly enough to handle them, like Washington was.

The Presidential Libraries

We have two Presidential Libraries in Southern California!

The Nixon Library is located in Yorba Linda and the Reagan is in Simi Valley.

May I suggest either an official or unofficial class trip to one or both of these?



As an FYI from the Claremont Republicans:

"This Sunday former Republican Congressman Joe Scarborough who now hosts MSNBC's Morning Joe will be at the Reagan Library to tape Morning Joe."

President's Inspiring Words to America's Students

** I tried to do this as a comment to the previous post but was unsuccessful**

If you are a words person and would like to read the script for the President's Education speech, that was made available online the day before. How often does the President release his remarks ahead of time?


I was particularly fascinated by the other resources and the menu of classroom activities made available in the weeks before the speech, as well.