Washington Times Quotes
Holding It Down
President Theodore Roosevelt took and extended trip to the West and left William Howard Taft, then the Secretary of War, as the acting President and NOT the Secretary of State who many people erroneously think is the senior member of the cabinet, nor the Vice President. Roosevelt just put in charge the man he was most comfortable with. Interestingly, neither the Vice President or the Secretary of State objected or were disappointed. It was generally acknowledged that Taft was the best and strongest leader in the cabinet and that he was as close to the president as possible. See {639910}
Washington Times, Political Cartoon, April 5, 1905, .
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
Note that the President left Taft, then the Secretary of War, as the acting President and NOT the Secretary of State who many people erroneously think is the senior member of the cabinet, nor the Vice President. Roosevelt just put in charge the man he was most comfortable with. Interestingly, neither the Vice President or the Secretary of State objected or were disappointed. It was generally acknowledged that Taft was the best and strongest leader in the cabinet and that he was as close to the president as possible. See {640479} for a cartoon quotation that was created about Taft’s assignment.
President Roosevelt was on an extended Western trip and had left Taft in charge of the Government as a type of “Acting President”—See {639910} and {640479}. However, many issues were arising including foreign policy problems that had to be handled. Taft was unsure of his authority, but Roosevelt in his own inimitable style assured him with this quotation. No other President since has delegated this much authority to anyone for the operation of the government. With modern communications, it is doubtful that any president will ever do so again.
His present position was that of the Republican nominee. In that era, nominees for president were not expected to speak and campaign after they had won the nomination.
Many historians believe that Cheney really knew how to manipulate the President. In this case, he left the President with the feeling that if he did not strike at Saddam, he was somehow weak. Bush was a Texan who viewed many things in the perspective of the old West. Also Bush’s father had not “taken care” of Saddam earlier and the right wing war hawks portrayed him as “weak.” for not finishing Saddam off. See {621248}
When the President met Nikita Khrushchev for talks, the Premier was wearing medals on his chest. Kennedy inquired what they were for, and the Premier explained that they were Lenin Peace Medals: See {610011} , {624747} , {45720} for more quotations regarding the summit meeting.
He was criticized by the right wing extremists of the Repuplican Party for serving a Democratic President (Obama) as Ambassador to China. He was the most qualified person for the job as he was an experienced politician, spoke Chinese fluently and was very knowledgeable about Chinese culture and history. The President had asked him rather than many people of his own party. Huntsman’s quotation is probably the most patriotic and eloquent statement of national service ever made.
The Washington Times is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C., that covers general interest topics with a particular emphasis on national politics. Its broadsheet daily edition is distributed throughout the District of Columbia and in parts of Maryland and Virginia. A weekly tabloid edition aimed at a national audience is also published.
