Like Abe And FDR, Obama Faces Crises

New President Will Have Challenges Of Multiple Wars, Grave Economic Emergency

(AP)  All presidents are tested. Few walk into the Oval Office when the nation is in the throes of multiple crises.

Like Franklin Delano Roosevelt, President-elect Barack Obama is facing a banking emergency.

Like President Abraham Lincoln, Obama is trying to patch up national divisions.

And like President Richard Nixon, George W. Bush and others, Obama will be commander in chief over U.S. troops in combat.

"With two wars and an economic crisis, this is one step away from what Lincoln or FDR faced," said Terry Sullivan, associate professor of political science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "The question is `Which direction is the nation going to go?"'

While the challenges Obama faces are daunting, they also give him the opportunity to shape history in a big way.

"My 88-year-old mother asks me regularly, `Why would anybody want to be president now?' said Sullivan, who manages the Presidential Transition Project at Rice University. "My answer is 'Every one of them wants to be FDR.' This is their chance. What makes fame in the American presidency is a great challenge and succeeding." Or, Sullivan added, facing a great challenge and failing.

In fewer than 11 weeks, Obama will inherit not just the economic crisis and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also the ongoing threat of a terrorist attack, a resurgent Russia and nuclear proliferation in hot spots across the globe.

Knowing his opening moves will be widely scrutinized, Obama tried to roll back expectations on election night.

"Our climb will be steep," he said. "We may not get there in one year or even in one term."

Yet he remained upbeat as did Roosevelt, who took the reins of a nation in the depths of the Depression. FDR used his optimism to lift up the downtrodden and refresh the American spirit. "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," he said at his inauguration in 1933.

When Roosevelt died in 1945, by then a wartime president making secret plans for an atomic bomb, Harry Truman told reporters, "I felt like the moon, the stars and all the planets had fallen on me."

In an earlier conflict, when the country was on the brink of civil war, Lincoln took a hands-off approach during a four-month lag between his election and inauguration, staying mum so as not to inflame tensions in the North or the South. After Lincoln was elected, but before he took office, South Carolina announced its decision to secede from the Union. Six more states then seceded and together formed the Confederate States of America.

During the transition, Lincoln maintained what became known as an attitude of "masterly inactivity," said Harold Holzer, who recently wrote the book "Lincoln President-Elect." Lincoln didn't want to do anything that would upset the South, lose him the support of abolitionists in the North or the northern Democrats whom he needed on his side if there was going to be a fight to save the union.

"He thought the best way to deal with it was to be silent," Holzer said.

Like Lincoln, Obama used his first speech as president-elect to try to mend fences - and he did it by quoting Lincoln's conciliatory first inaugural address, which was given at a time of such national turmoil that Lincoln traveled to Washington in secret for safety.

"Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity," Obama said of Lincoln, another lanky lawmaker from Illinois.

"As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends," Obama said. "Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection."

To reach out to his critics, Lincoln even allowed a reporter from an opposition newspaper, a journalist named Henry Villard, to virtually move into his office in Springfield, Missouri, to chronicle the transition.

"That's the equivalent of Obama picking up the phone and asking Sean Hannity to move in," Holzer said of the conservative television personality.

Roosevelt, who picked members of the opposing party for Cabinet spots, was as noncommittal as Lincoln as he was about to be sworn into office amid a banking crisis. When Herbert Hoover asked him to sign on to a bank holiday - a temporary closure of banks - three days before inauguration, Roosevelt famously looked up and said, "The drapes look very pretty. I'm sure Eleanor will want to keep these just as they are."

That made Hoover furious. Soon after taking the oath of office, Roosevelt declared the banking holiday on his own.

In his first fireside chat in March 1933, FDR said: "We had a bad banking situation. Some of our bankers had shown themselves either incompetent or dishonest in their handling of the people's funds. They had used the money entrusted to them in speculations and unwise loans. ... It was the government's job to straighten out this situation and do it as quickly as possible, and the job is being performed."

Sound familiar?

"He wanted to do it himself. A clean slate is what Lincoln wanted. It's what Roosevelt wanted," Holzer said. "The lessons of history are there. The most successful transformative presidencies were patient between the election and the inauguration."

Maybe history is repeating itself in that regard. When President George W. Bush announced before the election that he was hosting a global economic summit in Washington on Nov. 15, the Obama camp said the presidential hopeful wouldn't be there. "He understands there is only one president," an Obama adviser said.

It's early in the transition to draw many conclusions, but Obama's style as a candidate and a legislator was to proceed in a measured, disciplined fashion.

"Obama is an empty vessel into which the American people can be expected to pour their inexhaustible supply of hope - in just the same way that they did in 1932," said Bruce Kuklick, professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Obama supporters who spontaneously flocked to the White House into the wee hours after his election Tuesday night were anxious for Obama to move forward. Gazing at the illuminated Executive Mansion where Bush slept, one waved signs that said: "Why wait? Evict Bush now."

For some, jubilation was tempered by recognition of the enormity of the tasks Obama faces.

"It's not just about him," said Rachel Reclam, of Olympia, Washington, an international affairs student at George Washington University. "He inspired people, but I'm not expecting miracles. The financial crisis, the war in Iraq, the health care crisis are not going to be over tomorrow."

[bracemic]

Obama is being called Lincoln, FDR, JFK, and a messenger of God. Come on people, he''s never done anything to prove himself. Talk about mindless worship!

[blublucollar]

DeckardBR: So wrong. So very wrong. Nobody on this planet is more right for now than Obama. Whether you voted for him or not. Would have McCain have the ability to unite the country? No. Clinton? No. Obama. Yes!

[bracemic]

People have forgotten that Obama still doesn''t have enough experience to handle a recession of this magnitude. His cabinet will handle it, and they are surely all more of the same, and all Democrats so far I might add.

[bracemic]

"DeckardBR: So wrong. So very wrong. Nobody on this planet is more right for now than Obama. Whether you voted for him or not. Would have McCain have the ability to unite the country? No. Clinton? No. Obama. Yes!"

-----------------------

Obama has not united the country nor brought anyone together to work together. It''s all in your head. You are spitting his mindless rhetoric back out at this point.

[nearl4511]

The same negative word of mouth nonsense that continues to be used against President Elect Obama is similar to that used against MLK 40 + years ago.

On th other side for millions of Americans, even facing the toughest economic crises of our lifetimes, the political promise feels changes since Tuesday. All the things that you learned in school about equal rights under the law and equal opportunity and what this country is supposed to stand for suddenly seems like it has a chance to succeed. All the years in between the 40, and the examples of why the ideal cannot be achieved, seem to fade in importance.

[libra217]

Come on people, he''s never done anything to prove himself.

Posted by bracemic at 12:28 AM : Nov 09, 2008

Except for winning the Presidency of the United States in a landslide. LOL

[nearl4511]

I talked to my dad a few days after the election. He has been cynical on poltics since Kennedy was assassinated.

For the first time in 45 years, he feels that there is some hope that this country is epitomizing its ideals again.

[downtowner97]

In 2000, a tiny majority of Americans voted in Bush. We waited two days to find out the supreme court blocked the recount in Florida. The vast majority of those voting for him did so very unenthusiastically. They were actually voting against Gore.

After 9/11, those who voted for him and were uninterested in anything he had to say or do considered anyone who didn''t like Bush as unpatriotic, and a danger to the sovereignty of the country.

After all the reasons that were given for our invasion of Iraq, the one that was finally decided on was the creation of a Democracy there. Bush said himself that "Democracies are peaceful countries", and the main weapon against "The war on terror" became the spread of Democracy.

Now the democratic process here has worked perfectly. No onen called the supreme court. Bush''s supporters, a few dead-enders, really, act like the democratic system has been hijacked. In reality, a majority of Americans enthusiastically elected a Democrat.

Why is it that it''s now not considered unpatriotic to support the president elect?

[blublucollar]

DeckardBR: Would you shut UP about Wright?! I don''t like what my minister has to say all the time, but I continue my church for much, much more than that. The community, the friends, the fellowship. What you and your (dwindling) ilk fail to understand is that dissenting viewpoints finding common purpose is the root of greatness. Lincoln...yes THAT Lincoln filled his cabinet with his arch enemies, and found greatness. That Obama and Wright thought differently yet remained friends is a sign of strength, not weakness.

And Ayers? Come on, let it go. The fact that he and Obama served on the same (non-profit) board was irrelevant in the election and it is less so now.

Your hate is ugly

[nearl4511]

Watching the election results Tuesday Night, I turned to the Fox News and found even their coverage to be gracious to Senator Obama and how smart a campaign his camp had waged. Rich Lowry said that Republicans admired and were envious of how Obama raised his money and was able to organize where ever it needed to.

Those covering the election at FOX chided the people booing at the McCain concession. And pointed out the historic importance of the moment.

[powmadeak47]

Yeah he is just like them ha ha h ah a

[powmadeak47]

DeckardBR - How is hating screwed up govt. policies considered "hating america?"
Do you like all govt policies?

Also, why shouldn''t blacks hate whites?
I am white. And most whites I know are complete ^#$holes.
I pretty much can''t stand whites. Most are racist and/or stupid.
So why should the Rev. of an inner-city area like whites?

[aljack3]

Why do I feel like we are going to see a bunch of these "enormity of the tasks" articles if things don''t work out so well for the Obama administration. Way to lay the groundwork by lowering expectations. Relax your guy won AP. Time to climb out of the tank.

[powmadeak47]

DeckardBR - Ayers "sought" to destroy certain targets and stop a war.
At least use the correct word and facts when you make a stupid blog post

[powmadeak47]

Nearl4511 - yeah Fox''s election night coverage makes up for the months of false, fear-mongering idiocy.
Have ya seen Hannity since then. Same ol ***

[downtowner97]

Obama has written two books. Bush doesn''t read. Obama was born poor, with no father around. Bush was born the son of a bonesman, so his future was insured. Obama spent his time in the senate looking after his constituents. Bush spent his time as governor of Texas executing black people. Obama won the presidential election fairly. Bush had to steal the election with the help of Supreme court justices appointed by Reagan and his dad. Obama didn''t support going to Iraq. Bush wouldn''t have had it any other way.

Stop talking about how we are going to have to lower the bar for Obama. It''s already on the ground.

[downtowner97]

Wright is a dead issue. Obama is willing to take on the biggest mess since the one left by Herbert Hoover. If that doesn''t show his love for the country, what does?

McCain was associated with errorists, namely Bush and Cheney. That was why he lost.

[downtowner97]

The asterisked word was e.n.e.m.a.

We''ve spent 8 years with the best Texas had to offer. There''s a reason the coasts are blue. They''re nicer places to live, so it costs more to live here, so you have to have a good job to afford to live here, so you have to be smart and have an education. Sorry, but these are the facts.

[justanother2]

"You have to have a good job to be able to afford to live here. You have to be smart and have an education."

Get over yourself... We have farmers driving tractors that cost more than the average house most of those areas.
Nicer places to live? I look out my front window and see acres of corn. And I don''t have to wait for the wind to move the smog out.

[powmadeak47]

DeckardBR - try actually making the connection to ayers via watts. Your posts make you look like an idiot

[powmadeak47]

DeckardBR - and you still didn''t explain how hating govt policies is actually "hating America."
just some weird attempt to paint me as a hypocrite.
I never said all hate was bad. So of if can keep you warm at night.

[powmadeak47]

DeckardBR - I have come to the conclusion that you are not smart enough to understand what you read or what you write.

[wardoglrs]

Obama No Hope & No Choice

[powmadeak47]

DeckardBR - it''s a typo ya idiot, jeez

[neo269]

Like Abe and FDR? OBie is a collection of cliches, trite catch-phrases, and empty sound-bites - no wonder the media love him. He''s also a member of the Cut-N-Run party that is responsible for the murder of 4,000 American Troops in Iraq and tens of thousands of civilians. But what are a few war crimes among friends?

[jswilliams451]

Obama is the President-Elect. We finally have a President, that is intelligent. And he''s going to use that intellect, to try to DO SOMETHING about the problems facing the United States, and the world. With the middle class and working people being put first.

You can get on board with all that. Or not. But it is what it is. It can''t be changed. Its going to happen.

What part of being "kicked to the curb" by the American People over the last two election cycles, do Republicans and Conservatives, NOT GET????

[whatithink10]

And people still give Bush a free pass. UNBELIEVABLE!

[woodjd42]

Like Abe and FDR? OBie is a collection of cliches, trite catch-phrases, and empty sound-bites - no wonder the media love him. He''''s also a member of the Cut-N-Run party that is responsible for the murder of 4,000 American Troops in Iraq and tens of thousands of civilians. But what are a few war crimes among friends?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Neo269

Who are you blaming for Iraq? bush/chaney are the ones that should be put on trial for war crimes. they are the ones responsible for killing our young men and women. they are the crooks and the most corupt administration in our history.

[formrusmcsgt]

Cleaning up after 8 years of a delusional in the Oval Office will be no easy task....

[formrusmcsgt]

Beats the hell outta me, how Lincoln could stand up and preach such a crock of *****, and then expect black men to be free and equal.

Posted by FromTexwLove at 05:10 AM : Nov 09, 2008

Two words: Emancipation Proclaation

[whatithink10]

FromTexwLove,

For people who cry about personal responsibility, you don''t know the meaning of the term. Bush has been in control over the last 8 years, not Obama. That''s why we call you hypocrites. You only expect things from those you don''t like. For the ones you like, you make excuses.

[jb01201a]

And people still give Bush a free pass. UNBELIEVABLE! - are you kidding me, its you and your party and your media which has digraced Bush ! and now everything will be just fine since your messiah will take office. You, your party and the media are a joke and I am ashamed we live in the same country, but unlike you, your party and the media, I WILL NOT DISREPECT Barrack, I didn''t vote for him, but I do like him and I am willing to give him a chance and above all, I will not come up with conspiracy thories on how 9/11 was done etc. This is the difference between you and me.

[whatithink10]

"And people still give Bush a free pass. UNBELIEVABLE! - are you kidding me, its you and your party and your media which has digraced Bush !

Posted by jb01201a at 06:31 AM : Nov 09, 2008"


You are one.

Also, please get this through your thick skull, we don''t think things will be easy now that Obama is president. Obama has to fix several messes created by the irresponsible president, George W. Bush. But, you give him a free pass STILL. We are fully aware of the challenges that this nation faces. We haven''t gone into it with blinders on, like you have over the last 8 years.

Put responsibility where responsibility is due. It''s is Bush''s fault and no amount of trying to blame the media will change it!!!

At least with Obama in office, you''ll finally expect more from your president.

[jb01201a]

Put responsibility where responsibility is due. It''''s is Bush''''s fault and no amount of trying to blame the media will change it!!!
I know that Bush has made many mistakes, however, you, your party and your media did ruin his presidency. I blame you, your party and your media, but I will not sit here and call your messiah any names. So, here, I go, I will not call him the messiah anymore. He is our new president and i respect that. Now, what else, in your lib mind, do you, your party and your media will belittle ?

[jb01201a]

5.
Even throw it is harmful to the free market, the government dose have to tax to provide essential services.

Yea, and you people LOVE THAT !!!! Its amazing, how you, your party and your media just love this notion. You are sick, just like your party and your media.

[ahmnor4ever1]

from Middle Easter Man
actually i take the opportunity to congratulate the americans for this very democratic voting
Realy on 5/11 as i saw Obama''s face on tv, i hoped if i were an AMERICAN. This is what any citizen wants REAL CHANGE

[perceptions5]

In 1976 we had the same thing. After a bad unpopular war and an economy in recession a smiling Jimmy Carter was elected as POTUS.

Now in 2008 we had another "knee jerk" election where America''s mostly corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack press along with elite Hollywood "installed" Obama as POTUS through Naiz-like propaganda themes.

America''s "Mass left-wing Media" installed Obama through propaganda it''s that simple and we all saw it ourselfs.

I predict a major "shift" back in 2012 after four years of a failed liberal agenda.

Look how our 110th Do Nothing Democrat Congress who has been running the economy now for almost two years has done with that job.

Should be interesting watching the "anti-business" party, the Democrats try to get Big Business and other businesses to start hiring again.

........................ Sorry just not a "fit" here at all.

.........................Jimmy Carter''s second term has begun

[gregorio57]

Mr. Obama is going to finally have to make some decisions instead of voting "Present". I think Congressman Boehner was correct in saying Obama was "chicken s***t". The Democrats are finally going to have to take some responsibility for what happens in this country.

While the Democrats whined and emoted, President Bush had to make decisions. Mr. Bush didn''t invite the terrorists to come here, Clinton did by his inaction and weakening of our military during his two terms. Does anyone remember that terrorists tried to bring down the World Trade Center in 1993? What did Clinton do for the next seven years?

I''ve already seen a call by a Democrat(Was it Barney Frank? I can''t remember.) to cut our military spending by 25%. I''ve got news for you. Although the economy might superficially look like the most important issue at the moment, NOTHING trumps national security! Everything else is moot if our country is not secure. Ask anyone from an invaded country if they were worried about their job or their house payment as they were fleeing for their lives.

Dear Democrats, we live in harsh world and Russia and the terrorists don''t care one whit as to whether pretty boy Obama is more like FDR or Abe. The time for talk is over and Mr. Obama now needs to step up to the plate as President Bush has done(thanklessly) for eight years.

[irmcvet97]

I predict Barack Hussein Obama will be impeached for impersonating a black man.

Posted by mr22587 at 07:50 AM : Nov 09, 2008

Yeah and you predicted that Bush would be a great President! Quite frankly I don''t think you have a whole lot of creditability... much like your leader and your party!!

[irmcvet97]

In 1976 we had the same thing. After a bad unpopular war and an economy in recession a smiling Jimmy Carter was elected as POTUS.



Posted by perceptions5 at 07:37 AM : Nov 09, 2008

Without a doubt you poor losers are the worst among us. YOU and your "Party" were absolute and complete failures. YOU and YOUR "Party" put us in this mess to begin with! The LEAST you can do is step aside while the Man We picked to lead us out of it, does so. I noticed you never mention the FACT that Obama could well be another in that long long line of great LIBERAL LEADERS, like Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt or even Bill Clinton! No you had to pick on the ONE leader that, in your small little mind, was a failure. I don''t think Carter was a failure and I believe History is showing that IF we listen to him, we aren''t nearly as bad off as today. But I guess when you have NOTHING to point to BUT failure, when the Meltdown of our Economy, when the War in Iraq and the total loss of all respect in the world is on that new leaders plate... when you know that ALL that is because YOU and YOUR party has failed.... YOU must try to find someone or something to blame. Disgusting!

[irmcvet97]

Dear Democrats, we live in harsh world and Russia and the terrorists don''''t care one whit as to whether pretty boy Obama is more like FDR or Abe. The time for talk is over and Mr. Obama now needs to step up to the plate as President Bush has done(thanklessly) for eight years.

Posted by gregorio57 at 07:54 AM : Nov 09, 2008

Now I know that ALL American''s can see the Complete FAILURE of the Republican Party and George Bush! They can SEE with their OWN eyes what following leaders like Bush and the Republican''s have gotten us. WHY I ask you would they want to continue to listen to you or them? You and they have MOST certainly NOT lead us in the right direction now have you?

[irmcvet97]

I only post facts and words of wisdom.
Have a great day...

Posted by mr22587 at 08:03 AM : Nov 09, 2008

Oh PLEASE!! LOL

[irmcvet97]

Bush was and is a great president.It will not be long and you will wish Bush was back.

Posted by mr22587 at 08:00 AM : Nov 09, 2008

There''s a site on your computer that has listed 935 LIES told by your "great" President to get us into a War that we did NOT have to fight! I submit to you and all who read these boards, what kind of slithering Monster LIES to start a war? There IS no justification for doing that... but then to completely ignore those who begged him NOT to leave the Clinton Economic Plan which was working very well? NO Sparky, YOU and YOUR "party" are left with yet another in a LONG LONG line of Completely Failed Leaders. Accept it and move forward!

[greeneyes222]

Comparing Obama to Lincoln and FDR? Don''t you think that''s way premature?

Winning the election is one thing, governing the country is another. How Obama handles that will determine how history judges him, just as it has for every president who ever lived.

One would expect a news organization to know that better than most, instead of writing such silliness.

[irmcvet97]

At every junction in our long history we have faced one crisis or another but NEVER have we asked anyone to face such as we have today! At every junction we have always found, within our ranks, someone who can and does reach for Greatness, this we most certainly have in Obama. With ALL such leaders there is ONE common thread, that leader has been able to inspire and give the People Hope. I differ with all the Radical Right People who seem to want Obama to fail... I believe he can and will rise above all this and he WILL lead us out of it!

[diverinnl]

greeneyes222, I''m surprised he hasn''t been sainted yet. It''s going to be a long 4 years.

[diverinnl]

Irmcvet97,

Are these a few of your demands for change:

# We demand the union of all citizens into a greater America on the basis of the right of national self-determination.
# We demand that the State shall make it its primary duty to provide a livelihood for its citizens.
# All citizens shall have equal rights and duties, regardless of class or station.
# It must be the first duty of every citizen to perform physical or mental work. The activities of the individual must not clash within the framework of the community and be for the common good.
# The abolition of incomes unearned by work The breaking of interest slavery.
# We demand the ruthless confiscation of all war profits.
# We demand the nationalization of all businesses which have been formed into corporations (trusts).
# We demand economic reform suitable to our national requirements.
# We demand the treasonable system of health care be completely revolutionized.
# We demand a land reform suitable to our national requirements.
# We demand the ruthless prosecution of those whose activities are injurious to the common interest.

[irmcvet97]

Comparing Obama to Lincoln and FDR? Don''''t you think that''''s way premature?

Winning the election is one thing, governing the country is another. How Obama handles that will determine how history judges him, just as it has for every president who ever lived.

One would expect a news organization to know that better than most, instead of writing such silliness.

Posted by greeneyes222 at 08:12 AM : Nov 09, 2008

You really should consider taking some night classes... I mean my 8 year old Grandson read this article and understood it completely. He then read YOUR post and asked, "What are they talking about Grandpa"? The Article was simply pointing out the MASSIVE Crisis we have handed this young Black Man and compared it to the closest crisis''s we have handed OTHER leaders! Can YOU tell us a bigger mess EVER? Can you point to any point in our history when the INCOMPETENCE of ONE leader and the total failure of ONE Party has left any future President a bigger hill to climb?

[irmcvet97]

The Great President Bush will go down in history as one of the greatest presidents of all times. After the United States was attacked by Cowards,President Bush stood tall. Under the great leadership of president Bush we went after and have beat al Qaeda down. We went to Iraq and freed the Iraqi people. President Bush is now bringing the troops home in victory. I will say it again. President Bush is the Greatest President os all times. Sir 2258

Posted by mr22587 at 08:16 AM : Nov 09, 2008

Then you are saying that ALL this mess, ALL the Incompetence, all the FAILURE? It''s just a plot to tear down Bush? ROFLMAO You poor simple minded man, NO ONE can find ANY success in ANYTHING Bush has tried to do.. ABSOLUTELY NONE!! But I guess when you are left with what you see before you and your Party could hold a rally in a Phone Booth in most parts of the country, you need something to hold onto. Just don''t go betting the Family Farm on Bush EVER being sighted as anything but what he is... a COMPELETE FAILURE!!

[irmcvet97]

greeneyes222, I''''m surprised he hasn''''t been sainted yet. It''''s going to be a long 4 years.

Posted by diverinnl at 08:15 AM : Nov 09, 2008

Oh I don''t think we''re looking to make him a Saint... we just want someone who will change directions of this nation AND someone who can speak in complete sentences will be a good start! Mission Accomplished!!