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There is no proof that Warren Harding ever fathered a child. In fact, his doctors told him he was sterile.

The book that Mr. Alter referred to, The President's Daughter, was pure fiction.

Is this the same Jonathan Alter who had such a stupendous achievement with the Bible?

Have you mentioned it?

>>RSM

I love lenny's puns!

Concerning the history Mr. Alter refers to when Bush stood on the WTC pile with a Fire Captain and a bullhorn,
Bush DID NOT do what he said he would do, that is bring the perpetrators to justice. The history is Bush's failure.

Please Mr. Alter,

Most of these politicians who voted for the war did it because they didn't want to be painted as un patriotic. They probably thought the war would be a cake walk and that even Bush wouldn't be this incompetent.

If they had successfully nation-built, then it wouldn't have mattered if there were WMDs or not.

Who was the most overrated politician in your lifetime Mr. Alter?

To me it was Mario Cuomo. Gave one good speech in 1984. But only debated his opponent once (Lou Lehrman) Didn't debate Andy O'rourke and Pataki.
Did debate Koch for mayor.

Couldn't balance a budget.

I would also put Rudy Guiliani in that realm. What does he think about Wayne Barrets book on Guillani and the way Rudy got rich exploiting 9-11.

I heard Mr. Alter in an interview this past weekend and was deeply moved by the story he told about his late mother, one of the first women elected in Chicago politics. One of her final acts was to cast a ballot for President-elect Obama. His first-hand perspective on what happened at Grant Park on Nov 4th forty years ago and in 2008 is deeply insightful. I've ordered his new book. Can't wait to read it.

For Mr. Alter,

Have you, in your 25 years covering the news, ever seen such a dramatic fall in the fortunes of this country, in the utter failure of the party of finance, the Republican Party, to solve our economic woes, and the people of our country on the brink of ruin?