Presidential libraries are huge failures

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:07:00 +0000

The people who built the George W. Bush Presidential Library, which opened today, envision hundreds of thousands of tourists descending annually on Dallas to gawk at the Decider-in-Chief’s artifacts. To pore over the “War President’s” trophies. To participate, virtually, in major crises that he faced. And, of course, to leave behind – in the form of admission tickets, gift shop baubles and Texas-sized meals – as much of the economic gains they’ve made up since Mr. Bush left office as they can spare.

The former president’s harshest critics, of course, can’t imagine why anyone would want to visit such a place. The more snide – and less talented – of them make lame jokes about what books may or may not be on the shelves (it’s not that kind of library). Or which gaffes, catastrophes and tragedies from his term in office the exhibits portray (they are predictably criticism-free). Or – as he himself remarked in a recent interview – whether or not he can actually read.

Best worst reactions to that Obama presidential library story

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:01:00 +0000

The Daily Mail reported Wednesday that "Former President Ronald Reagan's childhood Chicago home to be demolished and turned into parking lot - but could it be for Obama's Presidential Library?" The right, predictably, was outraged, but White House Press Secretary Jay Carney threw cold water on story:

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The story initially gained traction about a month ago, when a conservative journalist, Mary Claire Kendall, wrote about it for the Washington Examiner. At the time, the story was picked up by a few bloggers, like Judi McLeod of the Canada Free Press."To the beat of Joni Mitchell’s song, Big Yellow Taxi running in the background, we’re calling on Michael Reagan and NewsMax.com to come to the rescue of an American tragedy in the making," McLeod wrote.

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Presidential libraries are huge failures

Best worst reactions to that Obama presidential library story