Hillary Haters and the Roosevelts

Even some Democrats who agree with Hillary Clinton on every issue and consider her an effective, inspiring leader, fret that the blind, irrational hatred, that burdened her husband during his presidency and that continues to dog his wife, might impair her electability. "She is too polarizing" they say, parroting the verdict of television's Sunday morning gas bags.

It's worth recalling the historical parallels with an earlier presidential couple. "No other word than hatred will do," observed a May 1936, Harper's Magazine feature "They Hate Roosevelt" by Marquis W. Childs. "The phenomenon to which I refer goes beyond objection to policies or programs. It is a consuming personal hatred of President Roosevelt and, to an almost equal degree, of Mrs. Roosevelt."

Childs deemed this "fanatical hatred" so intense and irrational that it could only be explained as the product of "abnormal psychology." Historian William Manchester described how Roosevelt haters "abandoned themselves in orgies of presidential vilification." William Bird, curator of political history at the Smithsonian Institution said that "by 1936, the 'Roosevelt haters' had developed into a well-defined cult among the nation's business elite," their lackeys in the press and on the editorial boards and among right wing Christian theocrats led by fascist radio host Father Charles Coughlin.

"In history, this hatred may well go down as the major irony of our time," wrote Childs. "The majority of those who rail against the [Roosevelts] have to a large extent had their incomes restored and their bank balances replenished since the low point of 1933," before FDR came to power. "That is what makes the phenomenon so incredible. It is difficult to find a rational cause for this hatred."

Describing the same baffling dynamics, a bewildered contemporary magazine editor created an inventory of the most vitriolic Roosevelt haters, including the CEOs of Phillips Petroleum, National Steel, DuPont, General Foods, Monsanto Chemical and General Motors, and then recorded the tremendous growth in their stocks which had all flourished since the implementation of Roosevelt's New Deal policies.

The intense hatred of the Roosevelts was a dominant feature in the American political landscape during the decade of the 1930s and prompted efforts to impeach him and even a plot to depose him by a military coup planned by high ranking officers of Wall Street's richest corporations, including Goodyear, Bethlehem Steel, JP Morgan, and DuPont. The "vast right wing conspiracy" had its own Richard Mellon Scaife. Robert Clark, one of Wall Street's richest bankers and stock brokers pledged half of his $60 million fortune to help finance the coup. His deputy, former Commander Gerald Macguire of the American Legion, a Wall Street bond broker, equated Roosevelt's reforms to Communism and explained the purpose of the coup to a co-conspirator, "We need a fascist government in this country to save the nation from the Communists who want to tear it down and wreck everything we have built in America." The 1933 coup attempt was only averted by the courage of General Smedley Butler, the popular World War I warrior who had been tapped by Wall Street to lead the plot and who instead exposed and denounced it.

"People in power with privilege don't want to be challenged at all," Hillary told me recently as we discussed the repetitive rhythms of history. "FDR's policies rescued capitalism, thereby saving the fortunes and restoring the incomes of so many of the same people who would curse his name over the dinner table. They somehow still felt threatened because they don't like to be questioned."

"And there is something of the same going on today. If you challenge the pharmaceutical companies, the health insurance companies, if you think investment fund managers should be taxed at the same rate as nurses and firefighters, you run into this vitriolic response."

Irrational hatred was the powerful drug that intoxicated the Gingrich Congress to impeach President Bill Clinton at the time when he enjoyed 65% popularity with the American people and had steered the nation through eight years of peace and unprecedented prosperity.

Hillary's supporters should be heartened by the fact that intense hatred is often accompanied by equally strong support. Roosevelt won four landslide victories against his opponents and crafted the architecture for the most humane, successful, generous features of modern American government.

They can also take comfort in Hillary's proven ability to transform intense hatred into loyal support. I recently toured upstate New York's traditionally Republican counties which she has transformed through leadership and political acumen, into rock solid Hillary Clinton strongholds.

With a playful wink she told me, "One of my favorite pins in my political pin collection is "I Don't Like Eleanor Either." It reminds her that it's not just the president who is targeted by the haters. But "about anybody who cares about and stands up and fights for the changes that our country needs to have."

Comments

[Sonoita]

The 1920s and 1930s do not compare to the virulent animosity spurred on by 24/7 cable news and instantaneous internet postings of the 21st Century. This is a different time calling for new leadership, new direction, and a new hope for our politics, not a return to the Clintons. I am so sorry RFK Jr chooses the past, and Hillary Clinton at that, rather than focus on what truly is best for this country: New progressive leadership without the debilitating anchors to the past.

[Chiklav]

Supporting RFK, then RFK Jr. I'm disappointed to read this. The 1st sentence alone "Even some Democrats who agree with Hillary Clinton on every issue..." is a problem. Most Democrats do NOT agree with her, more disagree, which is why she's so disliked.
The corporations you mention in "Crimes Against Nature, are the same type she & Obama take money from.
John Edwards has the most comprehensive plans for stopping Global Warming & for Health Care. He came with these plans in place last Dec. It took HRC 7 mos to come out with a HC plan. Then 2 mos. later her energy plan.

Obama is green & follows same corporate influences as Hillary. Your addressed storing nuclear waste. How can Hillary & Obama be for more nuclear power when we don't know how to store it's waste now? They are both for coal, the biggest CO2 pollution contributor to Global Warming. We should be working toward solar & wind & creating new jobs.
America need representation again. Edwards won't be going backwards but will move us forward. He's the closest to an FDR or RFK that we need at this crucial time. His eliminating poverty and helping the working poor is much like RFK. Too many people are supporting candidates for the wrong reasons. Influence, Media & Money. I won't have those things choose my candidate for me. I'm going with issues that I feel are most important to our country and my family. Edwards speaks to those issues. Our Middle Class is hurting. Few candidates are truly addressing that. They all act like our problems will simply go away once they are elected. Voting to expand NAFTA as Hillary & Obama did, cost us a million jobs & hurt Mid America.
Edwards tells it to us straight. We have to work together. He'll bring us opportunities for the future to live the American Dream again. Elizabeth will be a great role model as First Lady. They have been through life's trials and passionately want to work for all Americans.

Edwards will stand up for the American people.

No more status quo.

[MartinEdwinAndersen]

The Clinton Administration was characterized by "bimbo eruptions" (their words, not mine), contributions from sleezy overseas Chinese contributors, and presidential pardons for a large-scale drug trafficker and a union busting international financier (see http://www.commondreams.org/views01/0212-04.htm). No wonder that former Jimmy Carter chief of staff Hamilton Jordan called the Clintons "our first grifters." As a former foreign policy advisor to Senate Majority Whip Alan Cranston and a decorated national security whistleblower (http://www.cfoi.org.uk/pdf/corruptionma.pdf), I believe that a party of change cannot be at the same time a party to corruption. That's one reason why I am supporting Joe Biden for president. Martin Edwin "Mick" Andersen Churchton, Maryland 20733

[ijustcamehere2work]

The women is as cold as ice and hated by most of us. If she were your high school teacher you would skip class. If she were your mother you would run away from home. If she were your President, your would flee to Canada.

[whizkid]

Hillary's campaign should use The Turtles "Elenore" See Howard Kaylan.
I'm pretty sure he'd dig it.
So would voters.

[whizkid]

So many erroneous statements posted here its not funny.
Carter was a senator?

But its true the GOP was in bed with Hitler.

And the tories use most of their energy to vilify Democrats.

Anything that doesn't put middle class dollars in their pockets is the greatest of all evils.

[freedomismine]

That quote was from Chis Cillizza:
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/12/the_register_endorsement_how_c_1.html?hpid=news-col-blog

[freedomismine]

"But in the wake of the endorsement, some within the Obama campaign suggested that the Register endorsement would ultimately help coalesce the anti-Clinton vote behind their candidate. The thinking goes that those who adamantly oppose Clinton will now end their flirtation with Edwards and instead choose the anti-Clinton candidate with the financial and organizational heft to battle the former first lady all the way through Feb. 5."

This is my problem with both Obama and Edwards, they have encouraged the anti-Clinton fervor to meet their own ends. As a Dem, this makes both of them the anti-Dem, exactly what they accused HRC of being. And yet, she was the candidate who from the beginning did not go after her fellow Dems knowing that the enemy is not her fellow candidates, but the Repubs! They started down the low road, to the detriment of the party.

[lonlovett]

I wish I could be as confident about Hillary's campaign. Do I think she's intelligent and capable? Yes. Did I support and enjoy President Clinton's administration? You bet. It's what has happened since GW has been in office that has me concerned.

I don't buy into the "we didn't think he'd really use the force" story. Go back and read the Iraq resolution--little doubt is left that this was a war approval resolution. I smelled a rat on that one, and I wonder why Congress didn't? The only thing I can figure is that noone wanted to appear 'weak' after 9/11, but that's when you really should exhibit courage and do the right thing, right? And, then don't get me started on the Iran National Guard vote.

President Clinton has been so hand-in-glove with the Bushes since 2002, that I'm frankly surprised that he'll even disagree with the current President. Oh, wait, except of course when there's political gain. Whereas Bill Clinton was a fairly straightforward President (except for his stories involving his personal life), Hillary seems so guarded and politically correct.

I'm just really tired of Bushes and Clintons right now, and I want some fresh blood in the White House.

Anyone else?

[afgail]

Right on.

[afgail]

The irrational hatred toward Clinton prompted Gov. Huckabee to pressure the Arkansas parole board to parole a convicted rapist. The victim was a distant cousin of Bill Clinton. The rapist's release was a cause celebre among right wing evangelical Clinton haters. Once released from prison the rapist went on to rape and murder at least one other woman. These haters are truly twisted. And sadly so is Huckabee. He has blood on his hands for this one.

[DrewDruncan]

Interesting comparison. There is some truth in it.

FDR and HRC were/are both "pet lefties" of the right wing. Both are trying to head off real change that could hurt the rich and powerful, in a season when the right knows it can not win a fair fight.

The only solution for old money is to field a candidate that appears to be one of the opposition, but will not let things go too far. A sugar pill.

It worked a treat before and could work this time. Sadly, Americans are as gullible as ever.

[aisling]

I am truly shocked that Robert Kennedy,Jr., whose River Keeper work I have supported, is now sounding off in favor of the Clintons. By using the examples of FDR and Eleanor as people of the same calibre as the Clintons is completely inappropriate. I worked for Robert Kennedy's campaign for President before he was killed. I am sure he would have agreed with me that Hilary Clinton represents "business as usual", and has none of the gravitas of Eleanor Roosevelt. Come on Robert, what are you doing writing in support of a candidate who is vague, pat and uninspired, not to mention a blatant manipulator of her image to suit what she thinks will sell? I don't trust her and I've been around a long time, assessing political candidates.I am gravely disappointed iin your take on Hilary and Bill Clinton. I hope you will follow your father's lead in speaking truth to power.

[warpspeed9]

Thank you RFK,

Remember when Ralph Nader attacked Al Gore, saying his policies were exactly the "same" as George W. Bush?

This is what we are seeing by the extremists on the left. I am shocked and appalled by it.

I have no issue with hearing why Obama is better than Hillary on issues in a rational debate-- In fact I welcome (I will probably agree in many cases.)

But the savagry of the attacks would make the Swift Boaters blush with the lies and distortions they played on John Kerry.

I am REALLY disgusted by this. I guess the extreme Left secretly wants another Repubican next term, that's all I can figure. And yes, that includes Maureen Dowd of the NYT.

[nomdeguerre]

I normally agree with RFK, Jr. I hardly believe the comparison of HRC to Eleanor Roosevelt. Roosevelt put together courageous policies when America desperately needed them. Roosevelt's policies helped stabilize America, after years of disastorous deregulatory policies.

The Clintons have been less than courageous in their policies. Policies like NAFTA, CAFTA and the Telecommunications Act have not helped the majority of Americans, but instead have helped entrench corporate interests during Bill Clinton's tenure. HRC voted for the war, the bankruptcy bill and designating the IRG as a terrorist entity. The policies that the Clintons have supported over the years make them ideoligically closer to the Hoovers than the Rooselvelts.

The Clintons are very good in sounding like the Roosevelts, but their actions are more like the Hoovers. Time and time again the Clintons have favored deregulation, which favors corporate interests, over the majority of American people.

It is time to support a candidate that favors policies that finally benefit the majority of Americans. Move this country forward by leaving the Clintons behind.