April 2, 2008
The 2008 Presidential Campaign
Evan Thomas
Ferris Professor of Journalism, Princeton University
Minutes of the 26th Meeting of the 66th Year
The meeting of the Old Guard on April 2, 2008 was opened by President Giordmaine. The minutes of the previous meeting when Richard F. Keevey spoke on "How to solve New Jersey's Budget Crisis" were read by John Lasley. A moment of silence was kept in memory of Robert F. Goheen, who died the previous week. New bylaws were distributed to be voted on the next week.
Landon Jones introduced the speaker, Evan Thomas, Ferris Professor of Journalism at Princeton University, pointing out that he was a journalist with vast experience, including writing for "Newsweek," many talk shows, PBS programs, and the author of five books.
Evan Thomas proved to be a lively, informed speaker who spoke without notes, and who proved to be challenging and provocative in his delivery, ending his speech early in hopes of stimulating questions, which he had no trouble doing.
The title of his talk was "The 2008 Presidential Campaign."
(l) The White House? Today it is marked by a President who wants to hear what he wants to hear, even though he may be meeting with those with opposing views, but he is a President unwilling to listen to contrary views. With Iraq he has had to learn on the job. Our speaker spoke of the arrogance of the President's advisors, pointing out how great presidents welcomed opposing views, beginning with Washington and his cabinet, and who found confidence in being humble, unlike President Bush. FDR let his advisors compete and listened to them, as General Marshall in the 1930's talked about arming. "You learn from your critics" our speaker emphasized. JFK admitted failure and his ratings went up, as he welcomed debate-"creative ferment"-and Reagan learned from his opponents. For a President our speaker stated the personal qualities needed included confidence, humility, good judgement.
(2) Hillary Clinton? She always has a tight fist, is over eager, and has had bad judgement in the past on issues such as health care; for example, turning off people such as Bill Bradley who needed to help her. She "flunked that test. She antagonized her enemies" and "although tough-minded she was also paranoid." Her Iraq vote was a political decision. Our speaker added that she has failed to carry out a smart campaign. "What is she outside of toughness?" he asked. Doubts about her continue. "Why bring Bill Clinton back and calling the shots?"
(3) John McCain? Our speaker spoke of how good McCain is with reporters, saying he was "teasing and appealing" as he jokes with them. As a prisoner of war he learned grace and forgiveness. The humility he reveals would be a great asset as President, yet our speaker saw that anger was still there. He was praised for attacking pork barrel legislation, willing to take people on, even enemies, but that he has trouble controlling his temper, and for his judgements? Our speaker queried.
(4) Barack Obama? Exciting that Princeton University students are actually talking about politics these days! Obama is a great storyteller stated our speaker and that his autobiography is "really well written." That is an advantage for him-how he introduces himself. But, it may be asked, is it exaggerated? The press has fallen in love with him, "But journalists will turn on Obama finding discrepancies in his life story." He has good judgement and has "run circles around Hillary." The way Obama handled his minister, Jeremiah Wright, is commendable. Beginning at Harvard, Obama brought people together, and our speaker added "Washington needs that!" But, our speaker lamented, that we find out too late as to what kind of a President a candidate will be-we only can speculate. "
(5) Responding to questions: Reflecting on Obama as a candidate our speaker said that he was a "composite character" believing that there were several characters becoming one person. How truthful are they? That will be tested in the future. Of his liberal voting record, our speaker described him as an "incrementalist," more cautious, not an ideologue but a realist, with good judgement.
Al Gore? He won't reappear and has no role to play.
Responding to the reading public, our speaker commented "not everyone reads." He wondered whether vast ignorance was a sign of security? How conspiracy theory (AIDS to control the black population) was "just plain wrong.".
Returning to Obama and how he talks about his youth and the powerful temptations of drugs etc. that he writes about: "What is he talking about? Just a nerdy adolescent.
Arrogance of Presidents-- 9/11 and the failure of intelligence? Chaney always wanted increased executive power, and after 9/11 here was his chance.
Which candidate could get rid of petty bickering in Congress? Unfortunately things are getting more partisan/more divided our speaker lamented, with more entrenched interest groups. However, JFK and Reagan did change the atmosphere.
Condoleezza Rice as VP? "Made a hash of her job," her decision to disband Iraqi army?
Press today? Problem for journalists: newspapers and magazines competing with the Internet?
Press? Always badly run – reporters are not management – price paid for a free press. Our speaker ended with: "No free press = abuse of power!"
Respectfully submitted, G. P. Mellick Belshaw
Landon Jones introduced the speaker, Evan Thomas, Ferris Professor of Journalism at Princeton University, pointing out that he was a journalist with vast experience, including writing for "Newsweek," many talk shows, PBS programs, and the author of five books.
Evan Thomas proved to be a lively, informed speaker who spoke without notes, and who proved to be challenging and provocative in his delivery, ending his speech early in hopes of stimulating questions, which he had no trouble doing.
The title of his talk was "The 2008 Presidential Campaign."
(l) The White House? Today it is marked by a President who wants to hear what he wants to hear, even though he may be meeting with those with opposing views, but he is a President unwilling to listen to contrary views. With Iraq he has had to learn on the job. Our speaker spoke of the arrogance of the President's advisors, pointing out how great presidents welcomed opposing views, beginning with Washington and his cabinet, and who found confidence in being humble, unlike President Bush. FDR let his advisors compete and listened to them, as General Marshall in the 1930's talked about arming. "You learn from your critics" our speaker emphasized. JFK admitted failure and his ratings went up, as he welcomed debate-"creative ferment"-and Reagan learned from his opponents. For a President our speaker stated the personal qualities needed included confidence, humility, good judgement.
(2) Hillary Clinton? She always has a tight fist, is over eager, and has had bad judgement in the past on issues such as health care; for example, turning off people such as Bill Bradley who needed to help her. She "flunked that test. She antagonized her enemies" and "although tough-minded she was also paranoid." Her Iraq vote was a political decision. Our speaker added that she has failed to carry out a smart campaign. "What is she outside of toughness?" he asked. Doubts about her continue. "Why bring Bill Clinton back and calling the shots?"
(3) John McCain? Our speaker spoke of how good McCain is with reporters, saying he was "teasing and appealing" as he jokes with them. As a prisoner of war he learned grace and forgiveness. The humility he reveals would be a great asset as President, yet our speaker saw that anger was still there. He was praised for attacking pork barrel legislation, willing to take people on, even enemies, but that he has trouble controlling his temper, and for his judgements? Our speaker queried.
(4) Barack Obama? Exciting that Princeton University students are actually talking about politics these days! Obama is a great storyteller stated our speaker and that his autobiography is "really well written." That is an advantage for him-how he introduces himself. But, it may be asked, is it exaggerated? The press has fallen in love with him, "But journalists will turn on Obama finding discrepancies in his life story." He has good judgement and has "run circles around Hillary." The way Obama handled his minister, Jeremiah Wright, is commendable. Beginning at Harvard, Obama brought people together, and our speaker added "Washington needs that!" But, our speaker lamented, that we find out too late as to what kind of a President a candidate will be-we only can speculate. "
(5) Responding to questions: Reflecting on Obama as a candidate our speaker said that he was a "composite character" believing that there were several characters becoming one person. How truthful are they? That will be tested in the future. Of his liberal voting record, our speaker described him as an "incrementalist," more cautious, not an ideologue but a realist, with good judgement.
Al Gore? He won't reappear and has no role to play.
Responding to the reading public, our speaker commented "not everyone reads." He wondered whether vast ignorance was a sign of security? How conspiracy theory (AIDS to control the black population) was "just plain wrong.".
Returning to Obama and how he talks about his youth and the powerful temptations of drugs etc. that he writes about: "What is he talking about? Just a nerdy adolescent.
Arrogance of Presidents-- 9/11 and the failure of intelligence? Chaney always wanted increased executive power, and after 9/11 here was his chance.
Which candidate could get rid of petty bickering in Congress? Unfortunately things are getting more partisan/more divided our speaker lamented, with more entrenched interest groups. However, JFK and Reagan did change the atmosphere.
Condoleezza Rice as VP? "Made a hash of her job," her decision to disband Iraqi army?
Press today? Problem for journalists: newspapers and magazines competing with the Internet?
Press? Always badly run – reporters are not management – price paid for a free press. Our speaker ended with: "No free press = abuse of power!"
Respectfully submitted, G. P. Mellick Belshaw