Douglas Brinkley, professor of history at Rice University and most recently the author of Gerald R. Ford, comments on the election and its historical significance.
It is worth noting one very positive piece of the Bush legacy that Obama may have a further positive impact on. During the Bush years, US aid to Africa was increased to the highest levels ever. This was something that a Democratic president would have had a politically difficult time doing (and undoing down the road). Obama should, however, be able to fix the “faith based ideology over science” slant that has tainted programs such as President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR).
I support Obama and can't listen to this drivel any longer. I'm getting worried listening to a lot of media sources lately that we are going to have a President who is as unaccountable as Bush was, just with a left tilt.
[[BL Moderator Writes: A few comments have been edited or removed for violating the WNYC posting policy. I'm sorry, but thinly-veiled racism does not qualify as civil or productive. Please take a moment before you hit "submit." -BL Show-]]
Re; racism. One aspect that has not, as far as I have seen, been addressed is this: there is also a lot of racism around the world and I am not sure that in Europe and elsewhere, Obama can necessarily expect a smooth ride...
Great question, Brian. I keep thinking about Clinton's fate when I hear people talk about Obama's centrism and "ability to reach across the aisle." Those qualities certainly didn't help Clinton.
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Comments [14]
It is worth noting one very positive piece of the Bush legacy that Obama may have a further positive impact on.
During the Bush years, US aid to Africa was increased to the highest levels ever. This was something that a Democratic president would have had a politically difficult time doing (and undoing down the road). Obama should, however, be able to fix the “faith based ideology over science” slant that has tainted programs such as President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR).
I support Obama and can't listen to this drivel any longer. I'm getting worried listening to a lot of media sources lately that we are going to have a President who is as unaccountable as Bush was, just with a left tilt.
The question of how hard can the Republicans go after a President Obama is an important one.
I heard a pundit Sunday on the network McLaughlin Report call Obama a "closet radical" and "Jew basher."
Obama can rally the nation to marganalize that kind of politics.
[[BL Moderator Writes: A few comments have been edited or removed for violating the WNYC posting policy. I'm sorry, but thinly-veiled racism does not qualify as civil or productive. Please take a moment before you hit "submit."
-BL Show-]]
Ron Paul has started a true conservative/libertarian movement...give him some credit
Cheney positioning for a pardon?
Re; racism. One aspect that has not, as far as I have seen, been addressed is this: there is also a lot of racism around the world and I am not sure that in Europe and elsewhere, Obama can necessarily expect a smooth ride...
Great question, Brian. I keep thinking about Clinton's fate when I hear people talk about Obama's centrism and "ability to reach across the aisle." Those qualities certainly didn't help Clinton.
I guess you didn't like my previous comment-
Censorship and suppression- the not-so-secret weapon of the 'progressives' of WNYC.
Is it not true that some bitter people do cling to guns and religion? I certainly think so!
Cheney just reaffirmed Senator Obama's position, nothing will change by voting for mccain.
Brian, FYI...the PC terminology is African American!
On the topic of Presidential History: America lost a great historian, on Friday Studs Turkle died at age 96. He will be missed.
I guess Cheney must really not like McCain!
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