Dead Presidents

Historical facts, thoughts, ramblings and collections on the Presidency and about the Presidents of the United States.

By Anthony Bergen
E-Mail: bergen.anthony@gmail.com
Recent Tweets @Anthony_Bergen
Asker bbkld Asks:
You and I are both Lincoln and FDR fans, and I feel a little defensive even asking this question: During the Civil War and WWII, do you feel the two of them were the closest to absolute dictators this country has ever had?
deadpresidents deadpresidents Said:

Yes, definitely.  I think Lincoln far more than FDR because Lincoln’s war was an insurrection here, within our borders, against other Americans.  While they both faced opposition, I think Roosevelt had to fight harder (despite his unprecedented four Presidential election campaign victories) to pass his legislative agenda than Lincoln did.

Yet, there’s still a big difference from how they governed and a dictatorship because if Lincoln had lost the 1864 election — as he thought he was going to do right up until a few weeks before Election Day — he would have peacefully turned over power to General McClellan on Inauguration Day.  And same thing with FDR.

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