Excellent piece, Eric. My one quibble might be with the weight you assign the disloyalty and dysfunction of Carter's staff as the main reason for the preciptous drop in Carter's popularity over the last year and a half of his presidency. Found myself nodding in agreement with the rest of your analysis, and loved your diagnosis of Reagan's widespread appeal. Looking forward to reading (and buying!) the book. Keep the inightful articles coming!
I think this quote attributed to FDR captures things pretty well:
“If American democracy ceases to move forward as a living force, seeking day and night by peaceful means to better the lot of our citizens, fascism will grow in strength in our land.” ― Franklin D. Roosevelt
We are failing to move democracy forward as a LIVING FORCE for far too many of our people. And we certainly have failed to the same extent in seeking day and night to better the lot of our citizens.
I don’t think it’s much more complicated than that.
Well done and interesting.
Excellent piece, Eric. My one quibble might be with the weight you assign the disloyalty and dysfunction of Carter's staff as the main reason for the preciptous drop in Carter's popularity over the last year and a half of his presidency. Found myself nodding in agreement with the rest of your analysis, and loved your diagnosis of Reagan's widespread appeal. Looking forward to reading (and buying!) the book. Keep the inightful articles coming!
I think this quote attributed to FDR captures things pretty well:
“If American democracy ceases to move forward as a living force, seeking day and night by peaceful means to better the lot of our citizens, fascism will grow in strength in our land.” ― Franklin D. Roosevelt
We are failing to move democracy forward as a LIVING FORCE for far too many of our people. And we certainly have failed to the same extent in seeking day and night to better the lot of our citizens.
I don’t think it’s much more complicated than that.
You closed on that job like a shark in a Spielberg movie
Timely.
Fascinating article! So interesting to look at the “Malaise Speech”, very resonant to today. And your 70’s ID card was awesome!
Super interesting and insightful, Eric!