Roundup of Obama / FDR comparison in the news

[syndicalist]

"Hope" is the mantra du jour regarding Obama's impending presidency. While some have compared Obama to Lincoln, the more profligate comparison is between BHO and FDR, both of whom came to leadership of the free world amidst dire financial meltdowns that threatened global economies and the systemic viability of the entire global economic system.

Comments

[kampfbaby]

i love that fdr photo.

[syndicalist]

One of the very rare photos that depicts him disabled, I think there are are less than maybe 12 or so of him in his wheelchair in existence? FDR also appointed the 1st female to be head of a dept. of the executive. Not to mention all the anti-racist work his wife Eleanor did.

[syndicalist]

He did so much that its hard to digest. For one thing, he was a 4 term president For another, he did so much stuff during the Depression that that itself would swamp oneself so much as to make his involvement in the Allies' victory in WW2 seem like a whole other can of worms. He is he only president to bring the unemployment rate to 0%. Not to mention modernizing the US's infrastructure, rural electrification, dd away with Prohibition, introduced min wage laws, created the FDCI and SEC, etc., etc.

[coral_amber]

I think it's sort of important to remember his short comings as well though. He did a lot that was great for the country, but even his policies alone didn't bring an end to the Great Depression. He made quite a few blunders such as the Japanese internment camps, and a lot of the civil rights advances associated with his administration wouldn't have been made if it weren't for his wife. That being said, he really was a fascinating man, who did wonders with WWII and this country. I don't mean to make it sound like I believe he was a bad president or anything, I just want to throw it out there that he wasn't perfect.

[syndicalist]

That's not what I said. I've pointed out in previous posts he is responsible for Japan being nuked twice - a controversial thing to this day -- and I've also pointed out the internment camps. Unfortunately, every Pres. has blood on their hands. That doesn't justify it, and it isn't an excuse The camps were absolutely a horrible thing. But defeating European fascism is not so bad, either.