My Columns on American Presidents
Presidential Trivia Updated - Trump is oldest to be elected president and more
A Ringside Seat on American History - What narrative will be written about the 2016 presidential campaign after it is over?
Presidential Trivia - Obscure trivia about the presidents
Ulysses S. Grant - General Grant is probably the most underappreciated hero in American history.
An Unqualified Success - Some of America’s most qualified presidents performed the worst, and perhaps our greatest president, Abraham Lincoln, was among the least qualified.
Creating a More Perfect Union in Imperfect Times - There is a danger in self-selecting to be around people whose political and religious views are the same.
What's Up With This Electoral College? - Who elects the president? It's not "We the People," well at least not technically.
The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same - The campaigns of 1932 and 1936 have much in common with 2008 and 2012.
Time for the 2012 Campaign - American presidential campaigns are usually filled with truths, half-truths, distortions and downright lies.
Trends Favor Obama Reelection - The historical trend is clear. Presidents who coast to their party’s nomination for a second term win reelection.
Remember Harry Truman - The buck stops here! Truman was one of our nation's greatest presidents.
Happy Franksgiving! - A brief history of American presidents and Thanksgiving
Do You Know This Bold, Progressive President? - There once was a Democratic president who believed in bold action by the federal government to promote progressive ideas. He had less than a full term in public office before he ran for president. Can you name him?
Remembering George Washington - Washington’s personal secretary wrote that he had had “occasions to be with him in every situation…and I declare that I have never found a single thing that could lessen my respect for him. A complete knowledge of his honesty, uprightness, and candor in all his private transactions has sometime led one to think him more than a man.”
Thank God for Abraham Lincoln - I am proud of my Southern heritage and proud of my Mississippi roots. But without Lincoln’s determination, courage and leadership, I would not be an American citizen, which is the greatest civic privilege on earth.
Clinton, Bush Dodged Hard Choices - Clinton missed a good chance to reform Social Security and Medicare. Bush made it worse.
Remember the 22nd Amendment - The seemingly inconsequential 22nd Amendment influenced the first three presidential elections of the 21st century. Its impact was not immediate when it was ratified in 1951, but it sure packs a wallop today.
Don't Forget Washington and Lincoln - Certainly there are presidents other than Washington and Lincoln who were great. Jefferson, Jackson and both Roosevelts come to mind. But Washington and Lincoln are more worthy of reverence and remembrance than the others.
What I Learned on My Summer Vacation - Lincoln and Truman have much in common. In short, Lincoln secured freedom at home, and Truman spread freedom abroad. We continue to benefit today from their wise leadership then.
Remembering Ronald Reagan - Reagan is an icon to conservatives and a legend in American politics because he personifies the modern conservative movement. While opinions about his policies vary, he left an unmistakable, indelible stamp on the American political landscape.
Historic Change - For the first time in history, the U.S. Mint is honoring America’s presidents with a unique series of $1 presidential coins. Modeled after the popular 50 State Quarters Program, the new $1 coins will commemorate the service of U.S. presidents in the order in which they served.
Can You Name This President? - This president has a moral certitude and self-righteousness about him. He is true to his beliefs and concludes that he is indisputably right. His errors seem to narrow and stiffen his outlook on politics and life.
Bush's Place in History - George W. Bush is the fourth man to become America’s president without winning the most popular votes. History has not been kind to the three previous presidents whose ranks Bush now joins.
A Ringside Seat on American History - What narrative will be written about the 2016 presidential campaign after it is over?
Presidential Trivia - Obscure trivia about the presidents
Ulysses S. Grant - General Grant is probably the most underappreciated hero in American history.
An Unqualified Success - Some of America’s most qualified presidents performed the worst, and perhaps our greatest president, Abraham Lincoln, was among the least qualified.
Creating a More Perfect Union in Imperfect Times - There is a danger in self-selecting to be around people whose political and religious views are the same.
What's Up With This Electoral College? - Who elects the president? It's not "We the People," well at least not technically.
The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same - The campaigns of 1932 and 1936 have much in common with 2008 and 2012.
Time for the 2012 Campaign - American presidential campaigns are usually filled with truths, half-truths, distortions and downright lies.
Trends Favor Obama Reelection - The historical trend is clear. Presidents who coast to their party’s nomination for a second term win reelection.
Remember Harry Truman - The buck stops here! Truman was one of our nation's greatest presidents.
Happy Franksgiving! - A brief history of American presidents and Thanksgiving
Do You Know This Bold, Progressive President? - There once was a Democratic president who believed in bold action by the federal government to promote progressive ideas. He had less than a full term in public office before he ran for president. Can you name him?
Remembering George Washington - Washington’s personal secretary wrote that he had had “occasions to be with him in every situation…and I declare that I have never found a single thing that could lessen my respect for him. A complete knowledge of his honesty, uprightness, and candor in all his private transactions has sometime led one to think him more than a man.”
Thank God for Abraham Lincoln - I am proud of my Southern heritage and proud of my Mississippi roots. But without Lincoln’s determination, courage and leadership, I would not be an American citizen, which is the greatest civic privilege on earth.
Clinton, Bush Dodged Hard Choices - Clinton missed a good chance to reform Social Security and Medicare. Bush made it worse.
Remember the 22nd Amendment - The seemingly inconsequential 22nd Amendment influenced the first three presidential elections of the 21st century. Its impact was not immediate when it was ratified in 1951, but it sure packs a wallop today.
Don't Forget Washington and Lincoln - Certainly there are presidents other than Washington and Lincoln who were great. Jefferson, Jackson and both Roosevelts come to mind. But Washington and Lincoln are more worthy of reverence and remembrance than the others.
What I Learned on My Summer Vacation - Lincoln and Truman have much in common. In short, Lincoln secured freedom at home, and Truman spread freedom abroad. We continue to benefit today from their wise leadership then.
Remembering Ronald Reagan - Reagan is an icon to conservatives and a legend in American politics because he personifies the modern conservative movement. While opinions about his policies vary, he left an unmistakable, indelible stamp on the American political landscape.
Historic Change - For the first time in history, the U.S. Mint is honoring America’s presidents with a unique series of $1 presidential coins. Modeled after the popular 50 State Quarters Program, the new $1 coins will commemorate the service of U.S. presidents in the order in which they served.
Can You Name This President? - This president has a moral certitude and self-righteousness about him. He is true to his beliefs and concludes that he is indisputably right. His errors seem to narrow and stiffen his outlook on politics and life.
Bush's Place in History - George W. Bush is the fourth man to become America’s president without winning the most popular votes. History has not been kind to the three previous presidents whose ranks Bush now joins.