Tuesday, March 6, 2018

The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism

Book: The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism
Basic Information : Synopsis :  Thoughts : Evaluation : Book Group : New Words : Book References : Good Quotes : Table of Contents : References

Basic Information:
Edition: eBook on Overdrive from the Fresno County Library
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 141654786X
Read: March 6, 2018
910 pages
Genre:  History, Biography
Language Warning:  None
Rated Overall:4  out of 5

History: 4 out of 5


Synopsis (Caution: Spoiler Alert-Jump to Thoughts):
The books follows Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft from childbirth through death, with understanding their relationship with various investigative journalists called the muckrackers. This group included Ida Tarbell, Ray Baker, SS McClure, William Allen White, and others.

Thoughts:


My thoughts are very long on this book-it is a long book after all about several interesting people. The thoughts are more in response to something I read than as a whole.

I will admit, I never liked Taft. But by reading through this book, I realized I had been seeing the picture from one angle, from Roosevelt’s angle and only during a certain time in Roosevelt’s life. Rather than being corrupt, I think Taft was trying to be fair, trying for a middle road. he just was not cut from a cloth which a president should be made from.

Even after reading the book, I do not understand why there was the great division between Roosevelt and Taft. Except maybe Taft should never have been President and had gotten in a position which was over his head, or more accurately, he was not suited for. When Roosevelt left, Taft found that he was on his own made compromises which would fail his bid for a second term. While Roosevelt’s personality indicated he should always be in the center of things.


Preface
In this chapter, Goodwin talks about why she wrote this book. It started with wanting to write about Roosevelt as a Progressive. She was teaching a class on this subject. But as she delved into this more, she wanted to understand the relationship Roosevelt had with Taft and how he got on with the journalists in his age. Goodwin realized that Taft was a lot more sympathetic person than she realized.
The question that most intrigued me was how Roosevelt had managed to rouse a Congress long wedded to the reigning concept of laissez-faire-a government interfering as little as possible in the economic and social life of the people-to pass such comprehensive measures.
The story is Goodwin is telling has three strands:
  • Theodore Roosevelt and his crusade to expand the role of government in national life
  • William Howard Taft and his role in the Roosevelt and his own administration
  • Bully pulpit


Hunter returns
Describes Roosevelt as someone with physical vigor and mental curiosity.
This is such a good combination when you added a mind like Roosevelt

Taft noted Roosevelt’s large personality to go with his large presence. small villages which one would hardly think had ever heard of the United States should seem to know all about the man.

When Roosevelt returned to America from his hunting expedition in Africa, he made remarks to an enthusiastic crowd in New York which included … any man who has ever been honored by being made president of the United States is thereby forever after rendered the debtor of the American people. You get the feeling of this from former presidents in their work and how they get along, even those who had been political enemies.

At the start of the presidency, Roosevelt predicted that Taft would be a beloved President-lovable personality. A big man with a big heart, what went wrong? Goodwin thinks that Taft inherited a misfortune where Roosevelt had angered the Republican establishment by going directly to the populace to override them. This left Taft when trying to be a very public man, which he was not, more of a personable man trying to pick up the pieces after the fight.

Something which we have not learned today is how compromise can be good to accomplish long term objectives. Goodwin says that Taft became president where there was a bitter rift… when progressives viewed compromise with conservatives as treachery.

Taft was not a natural campaigner. Nor did he respond well to criticism-it bothered him. It was his wife who was the one who felt he should be president, more because of the prestige and money. Taft would rather have been on the Supreme Court. Nellie Taft was a free-thinker who did things which was acceptable to a man, but did not feel right being done by a woman-smoking, beer, debate, … She felt all were equal, even when she was in the Philippines when Taft was governor there, she had Filipinos in for their social events.

When Taft felt it would be improper to greet Roosevelt upon his return from African, it was because he felt it would not dignify the office of President. While there is sense where we need to keep a sense of dignity for the office, there is also the sense that Roosevelt would have been out there running up the gangplank to greet Taft if the shoes were reversed. In some ways dignity is what small men hide behind and large men ignore.

In Taft’s mind, he was compromising to continue the work of the progressives-he was making deals to further the cause. But there is also a sense that the deals on the whole were weakening what Roosevelt had acquired.


Will and Teedie
...ambition in a woman is synonymous with unhappiness. - Delia Torrey, Louise Taft’s sister.

Taft’s father had high expectations for Taft. But somehow, Taft could go to his father and talk about his weaknesses. What kind of a person was taft’s father? How did this mold Taft into the kind of President he was?

In college Taft was not much of a student. Doing enough to get by. no outside reading.

To contrast that with Roosevelt’s father. It was said that he was one of those grown up men who never forgot they were children themselves. What how that influence Roosevelt?

Roosevelt was surrounded by books. On a European trip of four months, he read 50 books. This would carry through in his life. A great mind developed, he would be able to remember books he read when the situation called for it. He saut that My library has been the greatest possible please to me. He always carried around a book, even as President. If there was a break in the activities, he was reading.

When Roosevelt’s father said that his body, not his mind was the problem with him, he devoted himself to building himself up physically. This is something which was an indicator of what type of person Roosevelt was. He would understand there was a problem, throw his energies into understanding it. Then conquering it. The modus operandi was to constantly force himself to do the difficult/dangerous until it became a habit through repeated effort and will-power.

His college life broadened ever interest - isn’t that what college was to do? Too bad I did not understand that when I was in college.


Judge and the politician
It is noted that Roosevelt found that at times what was being taught in law schools seemed to work against justice.

Roosevelt’s readings linked him to hunters, naturalists, bird lovers, historians, biographers, conservationists, educators, sailors, …

no man can render the highest service unless he can act in combination with his fellows, which means a certain amount of give-and-take between him and them. Some of what our politics need to today-that give and take, talking to each other.

This seems to be where Roosevelt’s mind-set changed. When a bill came before the New York government to limit cigar making in tenement houses. Roosevelt felt that the tenement owners could do whatever they wanted in their settlements. It was when he accompanied Samuel Gompers on a walk through the tenements did he have a change of mind. it is the personal contact which makes a difference.

The death of his first wife devastated Roosevelt. He did not handle grief well.



Nellie Herron Taft
Interesting that Nellie Taft felt that being a judge would be not in Taft’s interests. But to Taft this would be more in line with his temperament. Without his wife, he probably be a good Supreme Court Justice.


Edith Carow Roosevelt
Goodwin notes that Roosevelt’s time in the Badlands being a rancher enabled him to interpret the spirit of the West.


Insider and the outsider
Roosevelt and Taft became friends in Washington DC. They walked to work together with Taft 6” taller and 70 pounds heavier than Roosevelt. But Roosevelt more lively.

New York Sun was a bit condescending saying that Roosevelt, because of his youth, felt like he knew it all. Not bad in youth, but he needed to learn that if he kept it up, he would be left behind.


Invention of McClure's
McClure’s was a magazine which was a voice of the Progressive movement.

It is pointed out that America was becoming more productive. But the disparity between those who worked and those who owned was becoming larging and the direction was going in both direction. Those who were making the shoes were not able to afford the shoes they were making.

Ray Baker, a news reporter for McClure took a biology class where the professor demanded that he examined specimens under a microscope rather than just learn about it from books and magazines. From this, Baker learned to first examine details and facts before principles and conclusions. Baker was taught This was to look at life before I talked about it: not to look at it second-hand, by way of books, but so far as possible to examine the thing itself. This became how he did his articles.

Baker noted how the poverty of the Land is different than the poverty of the City. On the Land, you can build shelter, find food, be employed. But in the City, you were dependent on others for shelter and food. If you could not find work, then you went hungry.

Baker covered Cox’s army. As he got to know the people, he understood their plight and reported about them as real people. I wonder how the reporters would do today? Would this be called fake news?

Steffens growing up was exposed to bribery in horse racing and in politics. from there, he learned that Nothing was what it was supposed to be. Disillusionment tempered his desire for several items until a UC Berkeley professor assigned him research into original documents. There he learned that history was more than just dates and facts.

Steffens later in life learned that he had been freely given love, but not how to give it or what it meant. Later when his son was born, he understood.

Ida Tarbell, Ray Baker, William Allen White, and Lincoln Steffens were the heart of muckraking journalism.


"Like a boy on roller skates"
Roosevelt as police commissioner deepened and broadened how he viewed social and economic issues. Not just does it make somebody money, but more how do they affect people’s behavior.

Taft’s rulings have had consequences through the years-both in the protection of workers and in antiTrust cases.

The only effective forces against the ware are the forces inspired by greed and fear and the forces that tell in favor of war are the belief in national honor and common humanity. Roosevelt’s words on the eve of the Spanish-American War. Certainly not somebody who has thought about why we should not go to war, but more of a person who wants to go to war.

Ida Tarbell when she was writing about President McKinley’s decision making about going to war with Spain said, I was learning something of what responsibility means for a man charged with public service of the clash of personalities, of ambitions, judgements, ideals. Interesting the take Tarbell has. This convinces her to stay in America rather than returning to France and observe. She also ponders the place of her profession, journalism in society and the democratic process.

Richard Harding Davis, war journalist. Covered the Rough Riders

Baker compares Roosevelt to the legacy of his father in that Roosevelt exhibited a magnificent example of the American citizen of social position means and culture devoting himself to public affairs.


Governor and Governor General
It has been said that Roosevelt’s second annual message was the most important conservation speech ever. (Starts about page 28).

Roosevelt had a way of dealing with detractors. As Governor, he was at odds with the Evening Post. So he invited the editor over many times to discuss where what he was proposing was failing and allowed him to talk about its strengths. In this way, he avoided the rancour of having an enemy, but had a friend who was opposed to him, One of the columnist whom he had a relationship with, apologized for differning with him so publicly. Roosevelt’s response was You have shown yourself a friend indeed, and above all, when you differ I know you differ because you honestly think you must.

It is interesting how Roosevelt viewed the acquisition of the Philippines. It was more of the view which Britain had for its colonies-they needed to be taught how to govern, how to live in a democracy type government, rather the strongest wins. That the US would govern with righteousness and justice, in the interest of their own people even more than in the interests of ours. This is a highly idealized view of how the US actually works. When Taft came to govern, he found that the military ruled more like a king than a teacher. But I think Roosevelt during this time had some high ideas as well. He felt he wanted to be governor their and was willing to sacrifice being with his family in order to achieve that.

Goodwin identifies that there was five commission members who went on the Hancock to the Philippines. She says that one of them was a Confederate general from Tennessee. I believe she is referring to Luke Edward Wright who is from Tennessee and served in the Confederacy. But everything I read, he rose to the rank of second lieutenant, not general. Later on he was the Governor-General of the Philippines.

"That damned cowboy is President"
Upon McKinley’s death, Roosevelt faced a need to reconcile his party allegiance-which included a very conservative approach to social issues, with his need to address social problems.

McKinley’s and Roosevelt’s personalities were diametrically opposite. Staid vs oversized.

As President, he could ask the Library of Congress for any book. He told the head librarian to provide and eccentric selection of books-from Poland’s history to Mediterranean races. He did this to relax from the required reading as President. He would spend an afternoon in reading about the relations between Assyria and Egypt which could not possibly do me any good and in which I reveled accordingly.



"The most famous woman in America"
During this time-the late 1890’s, it seemed like almost every aspect of American life was corrupt: labor, government, church, businessmen. It was noted that the Progressive mind started out in journalism. Before there could be action, there must be information and exhortation. Richard Hofstadter.

Goodwin talks about how Frank Norris wrote a book, the first part of a trilogy, called The Octopus. Of interest is that it is about the Mussel Slough incident, here in the San Joaquin Valley. It tells about the power of the railroad to force people into accepting terms for the property they were farming.

Standard Oil became what Ida Tarbell started examining. She found that using their power, instead of minimizing costs, they were trying to maximize profits.


"A mission to perform"
Two things seemed to affect Roosevelt-the need to be before people, particularly children, and the chance to gain “the people’s trust.” When Roosevelt spoke when out among the people he had two goals: outline his policies in a manner people could understand and to establish an emotional rapport.

“Roosevelt Gems”-aphorisms.
  • no law could be made to “make a fool wise or a weakling strong or a coward brave”
  • a good neighbor or trustworthy friend: “a man who keep[s] his word and never promise[s] what he knows cannot be done.”
  • “I do not like hardness of heart, but neither do I like softness of head”
  • “Speak softly and carry a big stick.”

On his trip out West, he met with John Burroughs in Yellowstone and John Muir in Yosemite. These two items changed his tone on how to preserve the nation’s heritage. Leave it as it
is. You can not improve on it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it. What you can do is to keep it for your children, your children’s children, and for all who come after you, as one of the great sights which every American if he can travel at all should see. May 3, 1903 in the Grand Canyon

The interest of California in forest protection was shown even more effectively by the purchase of the Big Basin Redwood Park, a superb forest property the possession of which should be a source of just pride to all citizens jealous of California's good name, I appeal to you, as I say, to protect these mighty trees, these wonderful monuments of beauty. I appeal to you to protect them for the sake of their beauty, but I also make the appeal just as strongly on economic grounds; as I am well aware that in dealing with such questions a farsighted economic policy must be that to which alone in the long run one can safely appeal. May 12, 1903 at Stanford University


Toppling old bosses
Early in Roosevelt’s life, he had an air of snobbery. When his daughter Alice chose the same upper class set as her companions, Roosevelt felt that he could not associate with them because of that.

Parties are means for good government and not its ends, it is better to be a bolter to a party than a traitor to a state. William Allen White, Nov 9, 1904 letter to Samuel Adams. So true. We as a democracy should want the best person to win, not just our party.

McLures magazine’s effectiveness was due solely to its effective method of telling the truth. We have lost that today. We look more at how fast we can get a story out rather than how true it is and its ability to be be approached with as little bias as possible.


"Thank Heaven you are to be with me!"
horse leech daughter-Proverbs 30:15. The daughter continually says give, give , give. This was in conjunction with the third time Roosevelt asked Taft to be part of his cabinet. This time because Elihu Root had told Roosevelt he was set on returning to practice law.

The interest of dollars is more powerful than the interest of conscience. Lyman Abbott of The Outlook. Still true today.


"A smile that won't come off"
Roosevelt opposed, but did not stand against, that the tariffs would be part of the Republican platform. It is noted in a Nov 22, 1904 letter, Roosevelt says that protectionism is a cardinal policy of the Republican party. Trump just put tariffs into place to protect American steel and aluminum. I wonder if it was for the workers like he said or the companies.

In clarifying his “Square deal” statement, he says that he intends it to be to every person, not just labor, not just companies, not just capitalists. He will oppose whoever is wrong and support those who are right. As far as access to the White House, he wants to make it just as easy for the big capitalists, [as labor] but no easier. Today it seems like only those who are rich or conservative gets access to the White House.



American people reach a verdict
Ray Baker, one of the muckrakers felt that the journalist is the true servant of democracy. Wonder how he would view the profession today. I think a good many of them would feel the same way and work along those lines. But there are some who are more in it for the glory for themselves. Later on Roosevelt complains about journalists-I don’t think he was complaining about people like Baker, but more the quick write person.
There is a difference between going along with public opinion and representing the public. That is the thrust of Roosevelt. he tried to do what was good for the public rather than be swayed by how people thought.Fake news is not new. Baker found the railroads which make, falsify and twist things to fit their narrative.

The 59th Congress was noted for being one of the most productive Congresses every. They wrote legislation concerning railroad regulation, meat inspection and food and drug oversight. This heralded in the ability for the Federal Government to insure the safety and commerce for all Americans.


"Cast into outer darkness"
The struggle for possession of absolute power which you find in your work among capitalists and Steffens finds among politicians and Baker finds among labor unions, is the age-long struggle and human freedom has been won only by continual and tremendous effort. Sam McClure. A long way to say that power corrupts; it is something we must all be on guard about, both in others and particularly in ourselves.

Tone as well as facts matter in an article. David Graham Phillips in the Hearts papers had an article which sounds like it was accurate, but its tone was more vindictive than factual. This lead to an uproar about the press being prejudice and not being able to trust it. Roosevelt counters this by making an impromptu speech deriding muckrakers who are looking for sensational articles rather than well thought out. But like so many shots which goes astray, it missed its target and hit Roosevelt’s journalistic friends, causing much grief. This attack hurt his friends and did nothing to deter its real targets. The formal attack came in a speech called the Muckrake Man on April 14, 1906. In here he decried the muckraking side of journalism and upheld the detailed investigative side. But what was heard was the muckraking side.

Willa Cather became part of the McClure writers. We have read one of her books in our book group. McClures also published Joseph Conrad, AE Housman’s Shropshire Lad, and William Butler Yeats. Eventually he had to sell his book publishing to Doubleday.

Tarbell moved to the country of New England and soon discovered that “the most genuine of human dramas could be found in the trials and triumphs of the surrounding countryside.” Her writing then starts to lose out and somehow exposolating about tariffs seems boring compared to working out in the grounds. This is true. When you get the lotus fruit of contentment, what seemed like important before fades away.


"To cut Mr. Taft in two!"
Taft felt better incline to be a justice, hopefully the Chief Supreme Court justice. But his wife pushed for him to be President. I suspect that Taft was right-his strength was not politics, but well thought out reasoning. Sort of like we all get into a place where we do things which are outside of our gifts and make a mess of it. Roosevelt felt that Taft would be the next in line to be President, particularly if he took the post of Secretary of War. This would also allow him access to the Supreme Court later on as well.

Tariffs, or rather the reduction or abolishment of them, was Taft’s passion.

The Fort Brown, near Brownsville, incident showed the part of Roosevelt which does not shine. Roosevelt rushed to a verdict on a Buffalo Soldier unit which in retrospect seemed to be more the recipient of harassment than the giver of problems. A Board of Inquiry had a recommendation that 167 men of the unit be dishonorably discharged. Roosevelt authorized it in lieu of Taft, who was away negotiating a crisis in Cuba. Taft was furious when he found out what happened. But he did not public rebuke Roosevelt. Instead when Taft was running for President, he got flack for not opposing this decision. Roosevelt had to come out and say this was his and his decision only. This situation was not corrected until the 1970’s. This incident shows that Roosevelt being a man of action was much more into action, than thought. This is something which would drive a wedge between him and Taft many years later.


Taft boom, Wall Street bust
Roosevelt wanted Taft to be president more than Taft did. He prefered working behind the scenes than to be front and center. The Washington Post gives Taft one of the best praises around: Taft is not a politician in the sense that he is a wire-puller and a seeker of power, but as a natural statesman and leader, he draws all men to him.

Taft refused to fight a political opponent, Foraker, who helped Taft launch his political career. Roosevelt noted that he would be out there fighting, but that Taft not fighting, Roosevelt felt that he could count it as just one of those fine and manly things which I would naturally expect from you, …

Roosevelt said to Ray Baker that A man may sometimes have to jeopardize his own soul when the interests of the country are at stake. I think this is what is called idolatry. Roosevelt is so wrong here.


Kingmaker and king
Even when you are trying to compliment someone, sometimes the words come out wrong. Such as when Taft was talking about the strength and genius of Grant in spite of his fondness of alcohol, veterans felt he was depreciating Grant.

Just a funny observation concerning a speech which Roosevelt made at the RNC in which Taft was nominated. It was observed that there is a secret human wish or at least half a wish that the animals in the ring would turn and eat the trainer.


"A great stricken animal"
This probably describes Taft by Ray Baker in comparing Taft to a very good second-fiddle player. That sometimes the second fiddle is a better musician than the first, but he could not fill the first fiddler’s place. He has not the audience-sense; he does not know how to handle men; he has not the ability to beat disharmonies into harmonies. Or as someone else said, Not everyone was meant to be No. 1 I understand this because I was pretty good at being a supporting player, but did not feel I was really good as a lead. I think Taft felt some of that same thing as well.

As Roosevelt’s parting message, he gave a speech which set a course to allow the Federal government to regulate almost every aspect of power in the United States. This is where you have Roosevelt seeing those who have power being corrupted and the only thing to stop them is the government. What what happens when that corruption hits the government as well, when power works its corrosiveness on it?

Taft was universally liked going in. But upon leaving he was scorned as a failed president. How come the turnaround? It was not because Taft was not liked, but maybe because he was blown about so much.

Roosevelt felt that an invitation to the White House was to pay for a favor already performed. But Taft understood the power of bringing people together and tried to get everybody in a way they would work as a team. Taft’s hope was the his personal appeal with reasoned arguments and hospitality would serve his purposes.

Nellie Taft was the prototype for the activist first ladies. She wanted the betterment of working class wage earners who worked in government, this included working girls as well. It was she who who designed much of the Washington Tidal basin as well as brought in the Japanese Cherry Trees.


A self-inflicted wound
Interesting-Taft consulted with a select group of editors across the nation to understand how their representatives would vote.

Taft wanted to oust the Republican Speaker of the House. But after sampling the votes, he realized this would not happen. Being the open person Taft was, he publically said that he did not have the votes. This allowed Cannon to walk over him in the coming years. This also put a spirit of default in his allies. Then to compound issues, Taft thought it was enough to put forward good reasons to why a vote should go a certain way. He did not lead the charge or rally people who could support his positions into demanding their representatives support the president. The weakness of taft was that he was not a fighter, but someone who tried to get people to work through issues.

St. George and the dragon
The conflict between Ballinger and Pinchot was probably crucial to the Taft-Roosevelt falling out.Pinchot was close to Roosevelt. Ballinger favored water interests and revoked the federal rights to these properties. Pinchot emphyteutical opposed this, going public against his boss, even investigating him and in some cases may have made up stuff. There were places he was mistaken.

Then came another scandal-the Cunningham coal scandal. Ballinger was accused of covering for Cunningham to buy Montana properties for coal. Pinchot greatly enhanced the problem-it was a problem to Ballinger’s loss. As the case heated up, Taft had to choose sides. Pinchot overplayed his case and was removed from office, even though Taft knew this would alienate Roosevelt.

Previously I had read mostly Roosevelt’s and Pinchot’s side of the issue-Morris’ book, Colonel Roosevelt, and two of Pinchot’s books, The fight for Conservation and The Training of a Forester. While I still feel that Pichot was right about Ballinger, I can see where Taft was forced into a corner where he had to side with Ballinger to be any man of morals. Still, it is worthwhile looking at both sides to a fight before taking sides. Few things in life are clearly delineated.

To Taft, the central issue was the rule of law. Taft felt that Roosevelt overstepped his authority. He saw that Ballinger was working through a process to normalize the situation. But Pinchot saw that Ballinger was delaying things, making it easy for special interests to grab land for their use.

The purpose of the Conservation movement is to make our country a permanent and prosperous home for ourselves and for our children and for our children’s children. Pinchot, Breaking New Ground. What Pinchot said is so true. What he was trying to accomplish was good. Yet, it really seemed like Pinchot was going about it in the wrong way. He tried to undermine his boss by tarring and feathering him in the press. This made it a choice for Taft of who to keep. For someone like Taft, doing things right and being right is more important than losing political capital. Ballinger is wrong and corrupt, Pinchot was insubordinate and underhanded.

George Pardee, former governor of California said I have been in public office and have been criticized, I do not object to it. A public official should be willing to be criticized. An agent of the people of this country should be called to account. as quoted in the Seattle Star, Aug 12, 1909. He is speaking about Ballinger.

Taft shows his character with these words when he stood by Ballinger: Life is not worth living and office is not worth having if, for the purpose of acquiring the popular support, we have to do a cruel injustice or acquiesce in it. in a Sept 11, 1909 letter to Horace Taft.

Who is Walter Rauschenbusch? From Wikipedia: Rauschenbusch's view of Christianity was that its purpose was to spread the Kingdom of God, not through a "fire and brimstone" style of preaching, but by the Christlike lives led by its members. Rauschenbusch did not understand Jesus' death as an act of substitutionary atonement; rather, he came to believe that Jesus died "to substitute love for selfishness as the basis of human society." Rauschenbusch wrote that "Christianity is in its nature revolutionary" and tried to remind society of that. He taught that the Kingdom of God "is not a matter of getting individuals to heaven, but of transforming the life on earth into the harmony of heaven.




"The parting of the ways"
Roosevelt said in a speech called The New Nationalism: This New Nationalism regards the executive power as the steward of the public welfare. It demands of the judiciary that it shall be interested primarily in human welfare rather than in property, just as it demands that the representative body shall represent all the people rather than any one class or section of the people.


"Like a war horse"
White’s thought that Roosevelt thinks compromise is the only thing and he is going to be everlastingly crucified by the American people unless he gets this compromise idea out of his head. Is this the start of Roosevelt’s downfall? Compromise went out the door and he rejected Taft’s way of doing things?

Roosevelt said that It is one of our prime duties as a nation to seek peace. It is an even higher duty to seek righteousness. … there are some questions of national policy and conduct which no nation can submit to the decision of any one else. This was said in the context of an agreement which Taft had formed with Canada for reciprocity. Sort of an early NAFTA version. This agreement failed when Canada rejected it.

Taft’s speeches were reported in full during particular stops he made while pushing for the reciprocity agreement with Canada. How many of us would read beyond a paragraph?


"My hat is in the ring"
Archie Butts was the aide to both Roosevelt and to Taft. In many ways, he is the behind the scenes soldier who is the quiet person in the room allows a space for the President to be human. He is also intelligent in the ways of politics, discerning the need for a Taft-Roosevelt reconciliation. But there was none. He dies in the sinking of the Titanic

The Man in the Arena speech. It is actually called the Citizens in a Republic, given in Paris, France on April 23, 1910.


"Bosom friends, bitter enemies"
Roosevelt tried to dictate the terms of the Republican National Convention by saying who could and who could not be seated?

Roosevelt turned not only against Taft, but against Elihu Root, who was also close to Roosevelt and Taft. Root had decided that Taft was the prefered Republican nominee. Roosevelt said that Root was not sided with those who were against progress and who stood with reaction.

Roosevelt is turning into a guy who was all about “me.” He threw away friendships to put himself first. On the other hand, Taft felt that even if Taft lost, he was saving the party from radicalism as well as the nation from a constitutional crisis. This turned the Convention into a place which caused division.

Taft noted that there was a Time when the least government was thought the best and the policy which left all to the individual, unmolested and unaided by the government was deemed the wisest. … but later on he indicated that the government had a responsibility to further equality of opportunity in respect of the weaker classes in their dealings with the stronger and more powerful. This pretty much sums up the two ways of thinking. Taft felt that his job as president was to bridge this gap.

Even though Roosevelt was attacking Taft, Taft said that he would not attack Roosevelt. he respected him as a friend and a person. Integrity.


Armageddon
There is a comment that during the Progressive’s alternate convention to the Republican convention, it was said that the people attending it did not look anything like a Republican or Democrat. I suspect the same thing could be said about our current President’s followers.


There was a practicalism to Roosevelt that allowed him to have co-existence between what was right and what was politically expedient. He wanted blacks to be part of his party and encouraged the Northern delegates to include blacks. But he allowed the Southern delegates to be all white. Where does the line get drawn between the expedient, the practical and the moral?


Once Roosevelt got to be the center of attention, his rage during the Republican convention turned to enthusiasm for the task.

Interesting how the Democrats and Republicans have flipped on the role of government: Wilson felt that liberty could be obtained through the limiting of government while Roosevelt wanted a government which was proactive in the people’s interests. In 20 years, another Roosevelt, FDR, would make it the role of government to look out for people.

During the campaign, there was an assassination attempt on Roosevelt by a crazed person. What saved Roosevelt was 50 pages of his speech and his eyeglass case.

Perhaps once in a generation there comes a chance for the people of a country to play their part wisely and fearlessly in some great battle of the age-ling warfare for human rights. Roosevelt’s speech at Madison Square Gardens on Oct 30, 1912.

Taft on losing the election said, The people of the United States did not owe me another election. I hope that I am properly grateful for the one term of the Presidency which they gave me and the fact that they withheld the second is no occasion for my resentment or feeling of injustice. This is a great man’s thoughts.




Evaluation:


 Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book rotates between telling the story of Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the progressive journalists of influence. She is a good storyteller of history. In this well documented book, she makes heavy use of quotes, both from the principles in the story and those surrounding them. At times the use of quotes seems to be a bit over the top, by in large, it is the type of telling of a story which Ken Burns makes effective use of.


There are several reasons to read a book on the history of people. First to learn about them-that I did and it both confirmed several aspects of Roosevelt which I already knew, but it also helped to change my opinion of Taft, providing a better understanding of what he was trying to do and what made him tick.


But another reason to read this kind of book is to learn from the past about today. The things which I brought from events a hundred years ago to today are:
  • The importance of good compromise to make good national policy
  • Reading being one of Roosevelt's prime enjoyments.
  • Dignity can get in the way of good relationships
  • When there is a disconnect between the reward for creating something and the amount being produced, there is discord.
  • Both Taft and Roosevelt sought to be friends with honest adversaries.
  • The thrust of holding office should be for every person who you represent, not just a certain segment.
  • Fake news is not new


Do I recommend you reading The Bully Pulpit? Yes, but be prepared to spend a while wading through it.

 
Notes from my book group:


Already asked questions from the March 8th meeting
How far have you made it in this book?


Was this book too long? TOo short? What would you leave out? Or what more would you have wanted to know about?

Have any of you read the Octopus by Frank Norris-it was talked about in Bully Pulpit. I was surprised by its reference here. Any thoughts on how the Mussel Slough Tragedy is related to the general themes of Bully Pulpit? Do we have robber barons today? If so where are they found? Any unmasking you would like to do?

Compare the reading habits of Roosevelt and Taft.

A turning point in Taft’s relationship with Roosevelt was the Ballinger-Pinchot feud, even though Roosevelt was abroad at the time. Describe the origins of the feud. What was Taft’s place in the feud? Was Taft fair in this conflict? If you were in Taft’s shoes, what would you have done? Should Taft have considered the politics of the situation over his sense of fairness?


What does Roosevelt’s speech on the New Nationalism sound like today: This New Nationalism regards the executive power as the steward of the public welfare. It demands of the judiciary that it shall be interested primarily in human welfare rather than in property, just as it demands that the representative body shall represent all the people rather than any one class or section of the people. What issues does this raise up?

Roosevelt said that It is one of our prime duties as a nation to seek peace. It is an even higher duty to seek righteousness. … there are some questions of national policy and conduct which no nation can submit to the decision of any one else. What is the prime duties of a nation? How does the US fulfill it today? How are we lacking?
Roosevelt wanted blacks to be part of his party while not offending the South, so he allowed white-only delegations from the South. Where does the line get drawn between the expedient, the practical and the moral? Is following the expedient and practical the way to achieve the moral? Does following the expedient and practical remove your moral authority? You look at this and White’s thought that Roosevelt thinks compromise is the only thing and he is going to be everlastingly crucified by the American people unless he gets this compromise idea out of his head. (White said this about three years before the Progressive Convention)


Should Taft have been President? What did he do well, what decisions did he make which was poor?


Goodwin used the person letters of several people to write this account. How will the historians of the future be able to write their accounts? Will we be able to get as personal of a view as we are of Taft and Roosevelt?




Already asked questions from the February 8th meeting
Does Goodwin have a team?

Why was the title The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism chosen? Why did Goodwin write the book?


Three women play a part in this book: Ida Tarbell, Nellie Taft, and Edith Roosevelt. Describe the roles they played. What choices did they make in their relationships with men? How did it affect their lives? Would you say the choices were appropriate for them? Or did you feel they may have been better off making different choices? Was marriage a hinderance?


Was Nellie Taft the prototype for Hillary Clinton?

How would Taft and Roosevelt have been different without Nellie and Edith?


One of the knacks which Ida Tarbell had was to be able to temper situations. How was she able to do that? To what effect?

...ambition in a woman is synonymous with unhappiness Is that true today? Is that true with men as well? What place does ambition have as a Christian. How in the politician's life is ambition needed? How can it be destructive?


Both Taft and Roosevelt had interesting fathers. Taft’s father was someone who was demanding but able to be talked with about weakness. While Roosevelt’s father understood they were once children also. How did their father’s influence the type of men they would be?
Both fathers exhibited high expectations.
Both Roosevelt and Taft trained all their lives for high office.

One of the areas Goodwin explores is how the press interacts with Roosevelt. Describe these interactions. Do we have muckrackers today? Who would they be? Are the interactions which Roosevelt had with the McClure journalist desirable today? How come? Why not? Do we have a magazine similar to McClure’s today?

Was the government different in this era?

Do we backup people who rise up to do the common good?

It would be interesting to see a copy of the McClure’s magazine.
McClure's Magazine. You can see copies of it at Archive.org, including one with Roosevelt on the cover. (it takes awhile for it to download).

There is talk that The Bully Pulpit will be made into a movie. Who would you want to play the various parts in this story?

Questions prepared t be asked, but did not


Was the book biased towards any view? If so, towards what? How does Goodwin’s view shape the story she tells?

When you think of Roosevelt, what words come to mind? How does this book alter or reinforce your image? Could Roosevelt operate in our time like he did in the early 1900’s?

What forms does corruption take place in this book? To the people of that time, did it seem like the status quo? How was corruption fought? Where is the status quo today not “fair”? How can this be changed?

Many people when they read about Roosevelt, they also think of our present day politics. At what points are their similarities? Differences? Are these points valid when we compare today’s climate with that of around the 1890’s to 1910’s?

Compare Roosevelt as president to let's say our last four presidents? Or Taft? How do they compare in style? Ideology? Background?

How do you define words like Bully Pulpit, progressive, populism, muckrakers, corruption? How have these definitions changed from Roosevelt's/Tafts to the current day?
How did Roosevelt’s experiences in New York form him?

When Roosevelt was police commissioner, it was said that it broaden and deepened his thoughts on social and economic issues. How so? How would Roosevelt view some of our legislative issues today?

Why did Taft and Roosevelt split? Why does Roosevelt feel like Taft has abandoned progressive ideas? What seeds lead to the deterioration of their relationship?


Taft noted that there was a Time when the least government was thought the best and the policy which left all to the individual, unmolested and unaided by the government was deemed the wisest. … but later on he indicated that the government had a responsibility to further equality of opportunity in respect of the weaker classes in their dealings with the stronger and more powerful. Discuss the strong points of both sides as well as the weaknesses. How did Taft try to deal with this dichotomy? How do we deal with it today?
On April 23, 1910, in Paris, France, Roosevelt gave his Citizens in a Republic speech, or commonly called the Man in the Arena. The central part of the speech is:
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
How does this sound to you? How does it challenge you?

Ida Tarbell after observing the effect of journalism on the decision making process of McKinley, determines she will stay in America to better inform the public. How does journalists in our age influence the political process? How do our politicians try to use the news media or alter our perception of it? What would good reporting look like in our age? How do you determine what sources to use for your views? Roosevelt valued an honest difference of opinion. Do journalist/columnists give that today?

Was there anybody you would consider religious? How did they show it?


What takeaways have you gotten from this book?


The New Yorker praised The Bully Pulpit saying “[Goodwin] is too disciplined to make explicit comparisons to the present in the book, but it’s infused with a sense that the story she tells may hold lessons for us.” Did you see any parallels between the political climate during the Progressive era that Kearns details and today? What are they? From Simon and Schuster

Topics & Questions for Discussion From Simon and Schuster

1. In describing Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, Goodwin writes, “the lively natures displayed by young Taft and Roosevelt remained with them throughout their lives. The aftermath of their anger, however, was handled very differently.” (p. 69) How does each man handle his anger? In what ways does this manifest in their respective political careers? Did you learn anything about the upbringing of either Roosevelt or Taft that surprised you? If so, what?
2. Why do you think Goodwin choose to title her book The Bully Pulpit? What role does the press play in the Roosevelt and Taft presidential administrations? Does the press play a similar role in politics today? Explain your answer.
3. Ida Tarbell “was certain that having a husband and children would thwart her freedom and curtail her nascent ambition” (p. 172) and decides that she will never marry. Nellie Taft, too, is initially opposed to marriage. Why do both women feel that marriage is a hindrance? What opportunities are available to women at the time? Why does Nellie finally agree to marry Taft?
4. Of Nellie Taft and Edith Roosevelt, Goodwin writes “In many ways, the two women complemented and balanced their respective partners.” (p. 132). Describe Roosevelt’s relationship with Edith and Taft’s with Nellie in light of Goodwin’s assertion. Was there anything about the relationships that surprised you? If so, what?
5. Douglas Brinkley said “If Roosevelt had done nothing else as president, his advocacy on behalf of preserving the [Grand] canyon might well have put him in the top ranks of American presidents.” (p. 351) Do you agree? What do you think Roosevelt’s crowning achievement was during his presidency? What was Taft’s and why?
6. Ray Stannard Baker had a close relationship with Roosevelt. How were the two men able to help each other? Baker considered Roosevelt’s ability to “endure criticism ‘one of his finest characteristics.’” (p. 650) Do you agree with Baker’s assessment of Roosevelt? Why or why not? What characteristics do you think are necessary in a president?
7. Roosevelt famously quoted the West African proverb “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.” (p. 256) Give examples of how he enacts this philosophy in his presidency. How does Taft’s approach compare to Roosevelt’s? Do you think one approach is more effective? If so, why?
8. The New Yorker praised The Bully Pulpit saying “[Goodwin] is too disciplined to make explicit comparisons to the present in the book, but it’s infused with a sense that the story she tells may hold lessons for us.” Did you see any parallels between the political climate during the Progressive era that Kearns details and today? What are they? Discuss them with your book club.
9. Baker’s articles in McClure’s magazine about Coxey’s Army brought hundreds of additional recruits and revealed to him “the incredible ‘power of the press.’” (p. 185) How do the staff members of McClure’s use their positions to affect political and social change? Describe the ways that the press is able to influence both the Roosevelt and Taft administrations. What role does the press play in today’s political landscape?
10. During Roosevelt’s and Taft’s time in office a sitting president couldn’t “go on the stump and can’t indulge in personalities.” (p. 410). How else have presidential campaigns changed?
11. Do you consider The Bully Pulpit to be entertaining as well as educational? Would you recommend it to a friend?

=======

1. Talk about the differences in the economic arena between the early 20th century, the historical period of this book, and the early 21st century. How similar are the issues of economic disparity?

2. Define populism...during Rooevelt and Taft's era and during our own? The same...different? What has spurred the growth of the movement then and now?

3. What role did the press play in the Roosevelt and Taft administrations? What role do the media play today? What exactly is muckraking? Can today's journalists be considered modern muckrakers? Do we have anything comparable to McClure's magazine today?

4. This is the first book in Goodwin's oeuvre that focuses prominently on women: especially Ida Tarbell and the wives of the two presidents. Talk about the ways in which those women made a difference...and talk about the times in which they operated. How amenable was society of powerful women?

5. Of the two primary figures, Roosevelt and Taft, which do you feel made the greatest difference? Which one most impressed you—and why? How did the two men differ in personality, as well as in their political view, tactics, and effectiveness?

6. How would you explain the deterioration of the friendship between two presidents?

=====

From Reference and User Service Association, A Division of the American Library Association


Discussion Questions
1. Name several comparisons between the Progressive Era and today. Would you rather be a member of the working class then or now? Who is a contemporary robber baron in your opinion?
2. What was the role of the press then? What is it now? How do they compare? Who is doing the muckraking (reform minded journalism) of today?
3. Talk about the women in this book. What roles did they take on and
play at home and in politics?
4. How has your view of Theodore Roosevelt changed since reading this book? Could a modern president do what he did while in office?
5. This is a story of friendship and rivalry. Which other US presidents have experienced both friendship and rivalry?
6. Goodwin could not have written such an intimate portrait of the two men without their letters to each other and to their wives. How will history be recorded for historians in the next 100 years?
7. Doris Kearns Goodwin has noted that Ida Tarbell knew how to make people come to life on the page. How does Goodwin manage to do the same?
8. Steven Spielberg and Dreamworks, the makers of the movie Lincoln , based in part on Goodwin’s Team of Rivals, have acquired the rights to make a film based on The Bully Pulpit. How different would this movie be from Lincoln? Whom would you cast for the parts of Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Alice Hathaway Lee Roosevelt, Edith Roosevelt, Nellie Herron Taft (she sneaks cigarettes!) , Ida Tarbell , Sam McClure
? What scenes from Bully Pulpit stick out in your mind as particularly cinematic?
9. The role of government in dealing with the economic and social issues was a central issue during to the Progressive Era as it is today. What do you think Roosevelt would say about the social and economic issue of today?
10. The text of this book is 750 pages. Did the detail incorporated into this
volume advance or detract from the story? If you could edit, what would you cut? Is there an untold story here, something you would have liked more of?
11. Doris Kearns Goodwin has confessed that the Progressive Era was her favorite time in history. If she were to write another biography, whom would you like it to be about?


====




New Words:
  • molt (Preface): shed old feathers, hair, or skin, or an old shell, to make way for a new growth.
  • phrenologist(Insider and the outsider): a pseudomedicine primarily focused on measurements of the human skull, based on the concept that the brain is the organ of the mind, and that certain brain areas have localized, specific functions or modules.
  • coterie ("That damned cowboy is President"): a small group of people with shared interests or tastes, especially one that is exclusive of other people
  • anthracite ("That damned cowboy is President"): coal of a hard variety that contains relatively pure carbon and burns with little flame and smoke.
  • decollete (The most famous woman in America): a low neckline on a woman's dress or top.
  • aphorisms ("A mission to perform"): a pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as, “if it ain't broke, don't fix it.”.
Book References:

  • Autobiography by Theodore Roosevelt
  • How the Other Half Lives by Jacob Riis
  • The Naval War of 1812 by Theodore Roosevelt
  • biography of Thomas Hart Benton by Theodore Roosevelt
  • Little Men
  • Little Women
  • Old-Fashion Girl
  • Anna Karenina
  • Autobiography by Lincoln Steffens
  • The Octopus by Frank Norris
  • The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
  • Shropshire Lad by AE Houseman.
  • An American Dilemma by Gunnar Myrdal
  • Related books recommended by my book group:
    • Hissing Cousins: The Untold Story of Eleanor Roosevelt and Alice Roosevelt Longworth by Marc Peyser, Timothy Dwyer
    • No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II by Doris Kearns Goodwin
    • Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
    • Manalive by GK Chesterton

Good Quotes:

  • First Line: I began this book seven years ago with the notion of writing about Theodore Roosevelt and the Progressive era.
  • Last Line: Still, he hoped that other “times of awakening” lay ahead, that a a new generation of journalists would be drawn to the work that “seemed once almost a mission and a call.”
  • My library has been the greatest possible pleasure to me. Said by Roosevelt in chp Will and Teedie, Letter to Theodore Roosevelt, Sr and Martha Bullock Roosevelt, Feb 11, 1877, Letters of Theodore Roosevelt, Vol I, pg 26
  • How fond one is of old letter and how one prizes them. Said by Edith Roosevelt in he composition book. Chp Edith Carow Roosevelt, Edith Kermit Carrow Roosevelt, “Second Composition Book”, May 18, 1875
  • It is a mighty good thing to know men, not from looking at them, but from having been one of them. Theodore Roosevelt, The New Nationalism, p105. Chp Edith Carow Roosevelt
  • Many a good thing is spoiled by there being too much of it. Nellie Taft Chp Insider and the outsider
  • I [Roosevelt] became more set than ever in my distrust of those men, whether business men or lawyers, judges, legislators or executive officers, who seek to make of the Constitution a fetish for the prevention of the work of social reform. Thedore Roosevelt, Autobiography, p1201 Chp "Like a boy on roller skates"
  • Before there could be action, there must be information and exhortation. Richard Hofstadter, The Age of Reform, chp5, The Progressive Impulse
  • Perhaps once in a generation there comes a chance for the people of a country to play their part wisely and fearlessly in some great battle of the age-ling warfare for human rights. Roosevelt’s speech at Madison Square Gardens on Oct 30, 1912. Chp Armageddon
  • Leave it as it is. You can not improve on it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it. What you can do is to keep it for your children, your children’s children, and for all who come after you, as one of the great sights which every American if he can travel at all should see. Theodore Roosevelt, May 3, 1903 in the Grand Canyon
  • Parties are means for good government and not its ends, it is better to be a bolter to a party than a traitor to a state. William Allen White, Nov 9, 1904 letter to Samuel Adams
  • A man never knows exactly how the child of his brain will strike other people. William Howard Taft, in a letter to Theodore Roosevelt, Sept 8, 1906
  • The meanest man in the world is the man who forgets the old friends that helped him on an early day and over early difficulties. William Howard Taft, in a letter to Miller Outcault, March 23, 1908
  • The times demand not a man bearing promises of new things, but a man who can finish the things begun...who, with a steady hand and a heart always kind and a mind always generously juct, can clean off the desk. William Allen WHite, The American Magazine, April 1908, “Taft: A Hewer of Wood”
  • The purpose of the Conservation movement is to make our country a permanent and prosperous home for ourselves and for our children and for our children’s children. Gifford Pinchot, Breaking New Ground
  • I have been in public office and have been criticized, I do not object to it. A public official should be willing to be criticized. An agent of the people of this country should be called to account. George Pardee, former governor of California as quoted in the Seattle Star, Aug 12, 1909
  • Life is not worth living and office is not worth having if, for the purpose of acquiring the popular support, we have to do a cruel injustice or acquiesce in it. William Howard Taft in a Sept 11, 1909 letter to Horace Taft.
Table of Contents:

  • Hunter returns
  • Will and Teedie
  • Judge and the politician
  • Nellie Herron Taft
  • Edith Carow Roosevelt
  • Insider and the outsider
  • Invention of McClaure's
  • "Like a boy on roller skates"
  • Governor and Governor General
  • "That damned cowboy is President"
  • "The most famous woman in America"
  • "A mission to perform"
  • Toppling old bosses
  • "Thank Heaven you are to be with me!"
  • "A smile that won't come off"
  • "Sitting on the lid"
  • American people reach a verdict
  • "Cast into outer darkness"
  • "To cut Mr. Taft in two!"
  • Taft boom, Wall Street bust
  • Kingmaker and king
  • "A great stricken animal"
  • A self-inflicted wound
  • St. George and the dragon
  • "The parting of the ways"
  • "Like a war horse"
  • "My hat is in the ring"
  • "Bosom friends, bitter enemies"
  • Armageddon



References:


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