Theodore Roosevelt and George Bush
I’ve been reading a biography on Theodore Roosevelt (The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt — I’ve already read Theodore Rex). As I’ve been reading, I’ve been comparing and contrasting him to the most recent White House occupant. (I’ve also been comparing him to McCain and Obama. Maybe I’ll look at that in future posts.) I think it’s natural to compare former presidents who were great to the current president, who is (much) less great. There are some real differences between Roosevelt and Bush that are interesting.
Oil Portrait of Theodore Roosevelt
From The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, p. 228 (hardcover):
…Roosevelt sent a self-description that combined, in one sentence, the words “Harvard,” “Albany,” and “Dakota” along with the ringing declaration, “I am a Republican, pure and simple, neither a ‘half breed’ nor a ’stalwart’; and certainly no man, nor yet any ring or clique, can do my thinking for me.”
I think that one passage sums up the early Theodore Roosevelt. He was a man who was fiercely independent both in his politics and in his thinking. He thought for himself. He was a scrupulously honest reformer, going after corruption (especially Tammany Hall) in New York and rooting it out. He could not be bought.
Roosevelt was privately tutored when he was young, mostly because he was sickly with cholera morbus and asthma. But he read everything he possibly could and was out in the world — in the woods with nature, travelling — as much as he could be, learning about nature and what life had to offer. His illnesses did not hold him back at all — he was out, doing. Despite little or no formal schooling in his younger years (and being deficient in some subjects like Latin), he was learned enough to win admittance to Harvard and graduate magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa; he was a true intellectual. There were no “gentleman’s Cs” for Roosevelt. He was insatiably curious, often reading entire books in a night. And he was always prepared — for meetings, for wars, for peace, for rooting out corruption.
When Roosevelt was only 23, his definitive naval history, The Naval War of 1812 (still in print!), was published. It was a standard text for two generations.
Roosevelt was a success in politics from a very early age. He was elected to the New York Assembly at age 23, dropping out of Columbia Law School to enter public life. He swiftly made a name for himself speaking his mind, and being bravely honest. At 24 he was elected Minority Leader of the Republicans in the Assembly. At 25, he very nearly was elected Speaker of the Assembly. When he was 37, he was named president of the Board of New York City Police Commissioners, still rooting out corruption. After that, he was Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Roosevelt resigned that position when the Spanish-American War broke out and distinguished himself as colonel of the Rough Riders regiment. Roosevelt served with distinction as Governor of New York and was named to the ticket with McKinley in 1900. Roosevelt became president in 1901, when McKinley was assassinated.
As president, Roosevelt acted as he had all the way through his public and private life. He acted honorably, against corruption, with an aim to reform government and to break up the huge corporations that had such huge power. Roosevelt also was a noted conservationist, thinking that the conservation of the environment and natural resources was of paramount importance. His political bravery also showed, especially in regards to race relations — an example is inviting Booker T. Washington to dinner at the White House although he knew it would cause an uproar.
That, obviously, is only a small part of Theodore Roosevelt’s résumé. I didn’t include the Anthracite Coal Strike, or the Great White Fleet, or get too deep into Roosevelt’s Square Deal. I include it all to show what a person can do, if he or she is curious, prepared, and determined enough to make it happen. Roosevelt is on many lists as one of the best presidents the United States has had.
(I have to note: I don’t like George Bush or his policies. I think he’s been a disaster of about magnitude 10 on the Richter Scale. I know some of what’s below may be controversial. I also know that it’s not a complete history of Bush or Roosevelt — that’s not practical in this setting. I’m not writing an academic paper. I’m trying, however, to be somewhat objective, until I reach my conclusions at the end.)
George W. Bush
George W. Bush, on the other hand, is obviously incurious, unprepared and seems uninformed. His résumé is comparatively thin.
Bush was also born into a wealthy family. Here, however, is where the similarities end. Bush was raised as the scion of a wealthy household, going to Philips Academy and Yale. He was, by his own characterization, an average student. Gentleman’s C’s here? Quite possibly. Instead of seeking out action (the Vietnam War was going on at this time), Bush’s family pulled some strings and got him into the Texas Air National Guard as a fighter pilot. Bush had some problems with alcoholism, including an arrest for driving under the influence.
Bush’s professional career includes positions as an oilman in Texas and part owner of the Texas Rangers baseball club. His political career — before becoming president — includes a failed bid for the United States Congress, working on his father’s 1988 presidential campaign and governor of Texas.
As president, Bush has been well chronicled. He is best known for such domestic policies as No Child Left Behind, a huge 2001 tax cut, opposing gay rights, faith-based initiatives, and several domestic security initiatives (including the creation of a Department of Homeland Security and The Patriot Act). Bush also has been anti-science, limiting federal funding of stem cell research. Bush also has not been in the forefront on global warming, withdrawing support of the Kyoto Protocol.
The United States was attacked by Al-Qaeda on September 11, 2001. In response, Bush announced a global war on terror and launched attacks into Afghanistan with an aim to root out the Taliban and Osama bin Laden. The Taliban was severely weakened, but (as of this writing) is resurgent. Al-Qaeda was also weakened, but Osama bin Laden remains at large.
Bush also attacked Iraq – arguably under false pretenses: that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and was going to use them. This, according to Bush, was a clear and present danger that required action, no matter what the international community thought. During the run-up to the war, planning was incomplete with no plan in place for what happened when Baghdad was taken by US and coalition troops. The wrong people (Rumsfeld, Feith, Franks and Bremer) were in place and, predictably, disorganization was rampant. The tactics were fine. The strategy behind the tactics is what was lacking. (Read Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq or Imperial Life in the Emerald City for more information.)
Bush has left his tax cuts in place, leading to huge deficits. America’s standing in the world has been diminished. The dollar is weak, leading to high prices abroad (including oil). The financial system is in crisis (not all Bush’s fault, of course, but he does share some of the blame). The economy is in recession. The nation’s debt is mostly held in other nations, raising some national security questions. Bush is extremely unpopular with Americans. Corruption seems rampant with many scandals — the US Attorney firing, politicizing the Justice Department, authorizing methods of interrogation that amount to torture.
In contrast, when Roosevelt left office, the United States was not in debt. The nation’s standing in the world was very high. There was no corruption in Roosevelt’s administration. Roosevelt was very popular and could have been elected to a third term. There is no way he would have gone into Iraq without a thorough strategic plan in place.
We have two very different presidents (and men) with two very different sets of results in life and in the presidency. I know who I’d rather have in the White House now. As I’ve said, Bush has been a disaster. Roosevelt, on the other hand (while I know I wouldn’t agree with him on everything), would be honorable, prepared, and honest. That, I think, would be refreshing.
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