A touch of Harry in the night: 70 years after Truman became president

[Geee]

Washington Examiner:

Seventy years ago today, a modest man was thrust onto the world stage in a role for which many thought him ill-suited. Upon Franklin Roosevelt's sudden death, Harry Truman became president of the United States.

 

Winston Churchill is believed to have lamented that the eagle had been replaced by a sparrow. Eleanor Roosevelt, in response to Harry's heartfelt offer of condolences, "is there anything I can do for you," responded "Is there anything I can do for you? For you are the one in trouble now."

 

Stunned by his sudden elevation to a job he never wanted, the down-to-earth Truman asked newspapermen to pray for him.

 

There is some irony in his lionization by Republicans as well as Democrats. "Give 'em hell Harry" was a viciously partisan Democrat. He not only gave them hell, he said publicly that anyone who voted Republican should go to hell! Yet Republicans as well as Democrats, when they gear up to run for the presidency, promise a Truman-like campaign of plain speaking. And they honor his concern for his fellow citizens and his willingness to put partisanship aside for the greater good. These are qualities in short supply on both sides of the aisle today.

 

When he left office 7 1/2 years later, his presidency and his reputation were at a low ebb. "To err is Truman" was a tag line which must have stung. And yet, with the passage of time, Harry Truman is now considered at least one of the near-great presidents of the United States, and there are those who would put him in the top rank.

[Geee]

In reading a Truman bio a few years back the thing that really struck me about today vs then was that Truman was practically a pauper after the Presidency and I don't think he was the first President to fall on tough times after. I think I remember that back then is when they decided to create a Presidential pension because it was such a National disgrace. Now, if your nor a multi millionaire before, you surely are after.