George W. Bush is this country’s forty-third president, and most of us are ready for number forty-four. I believe Mr. Obama is taking the right course by being relatively quiet as we approach his inauguration. He says we have only one president at a time. Bush can earn his paycheck until then and take the credit or discredit for what transpires. It appears as though Obama closely studies the presidency of President Lincoln; there is probably none better to take as a role model.
Santa Claus brought me the book of the second president that I had wished for: John Adams by David McCullough. I have opened it to read a few pages, and it looks to be a great read. Adams has probably been overshadowed by the book-end presidents of Washington before him and Jefferson behind him, but my previous reading illustrated how important a leader he was at our country’s outset.
He was at odds with Jefferson throughout his presidency and served just one term after Jefferson defeated him. One quote attributed to Adams was “Thanks to God that he gave me stubbornness when I know I am right.” Because he was stubborn he kept the U.S. out of war when France attacked our ships at sea. He knew we were not prepared for a military action, but instead he proceeded with diplomatic action. When talks were taking place he approved the building of six new ships, one of which was the U.S. Constitution. He wanted to be prepared for the next incident. He was the first occupant of the White House and a note he left upon leaving was carved into the mantel of the State Dining Room: “I pray Heaven to bestow the best of Blessings on this House and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise Men ever rule under this roof.” He died at the age of ninety, the longest living president until he was surpassed by Ronald Reagan who lived to be ninety-three. Then Gerald Ford broke Reagan’s record when he lived to be 45 days older.
