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Unfortunate political one-liners

Bill Sullivan — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:23:54 +0000

After a bruising political season, plenty of Americans are weary of the “gotcha” preoccupation with catching a candidate or public official saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Still, some gaffes are more memorable than others, and more than a few presidents and wannabes would like to be able to go back in time and edit their comments a bit more carefully.

Time recently put together a list of “Top 10 Unfortunate Political One-Liners.”

Here’s a sampling:

“I am not a crook.” — Richard M. Nixon, 1973

“I did not have sexual relations with that woman.” — Bill Clinton, 1998

“Read my lips: No new taxes.” — George H.W. Bush, 1988

“The fundamentals of the economy are strong.” — John McCain, 2008

“I’ve looked on a lot of women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” — Jimmy Carter, 1976

Want to see the rest? Visit Time.

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Secret Service code names

Bill Sullivan — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:26:18 +0000

The Secret Service likes to have a little fun with the people it protects. When a new president comes into office, he and his family are given nicknames that make it easier for the guys in the black suits to know who they are talking about.

President-elect Barack Obama was offered a list of possible monikers beginning with “R.” He chose “Renegade.” In turn, wife Michelle became “Renaisssance,” while daughters Malia and Sasha are “Radiance” and “Rosebud,” respectively.

What are some of the other nicknames the Service has used for presidents and other people they are charged with keeping out of harm’s way?

Here’s a list, courtesy of Time magazine:

John F. Kennedy: “Lancer”

Richard M. Nixon: “Searchlight”

Jimmy Carter: “Deacon”

Edward M. Kennedy: “Sunburn”

Ronald Reagan: “Rawhide”

Pope John Paul II: “Halo”

Karenna Gore (daughter of VP Al Gore): “Smurfette”

Dick Cheney: “Angler”

Cindy McCain: “Parasol”

To read more about these choices, and to see a slideshow, visit Time.

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Presidential Libraries

Bill Sullivan — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:37:22 +0000

What’s an ex-president without his own library?

Herbert Hoover has one. Richard Nixon has two. Even Gerald Ford (who, whatever his fine qualities, was never actually elected to the office) has seen his legacy spread over two different facilities.

Who else has one, and where are they all located?

Here’s the list:

Herbert Hoover: West Branch, Iowa

Franklin D. Roosevelt: Hyde Park, New York

Harry S. Truman: Independence, Missouri

Dwight D. Eisenhower: Abilene, Kansas

John F. Kennedy: Boston, Massachusetts

Lyndon B. Johnson: Austin, Texas

Richard M. Nixon: College Park, Maryland

Richard M. Nixon: Yorba Linda, California

Gerald R. Ford: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Gerald R. Ford: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Jimmy Carter: Atlanta, Georgia

Ronald Reagan: Simi Valley, California

George H.W. Bush: College Station, Texas

William J. Clinton: Little Rock, Arkansas

Source: National Archives