Reagan Top 10 President for Leadership

C- Span: Has a new poll on Presidential Leadership by Historians, Reagan rounds up the top Ten. I would place him higher but at least he makes the top ten, Bill Clinton is does not make the top ten, good. There is hope for Historians.

The Suspicions of Mr Whicher or The Murder at Road Hill House

One of the best books of the year, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher or The Murder at Road Hill House by Kate Summerscale. This is a true crime story from the 19th Century, the author brings the murder and the artistic, social, economic and political environment to life. The author has produced a thriller that makes you turn the page but also backs it up with excellent footnotes ( this page likes footnotes ). But although the its a puzzle and even after reading the book I cant make my mind up as to who was the real murder or murders, even though someone did confess, there are enough questions to make you think. But at the end the author reminds the reader that there was a murder, a vile murder, but its through the murder that we different aspects of the 19th Century.

Nixon, Reagan and Gorbachev

Vanity Fair: Excellent Article on the relationship between Reagan and Nixon and Reagan and Gorbachev. Nixon was the Strategic Thinker but Reagan was right about the USSR, when he called it an Evil Empire and when he worked to finish the Cold War with Gorbachev. Gorbachev should have listened to Reagan in the final summit, had he been more of a reformer he might still be President of the USSR. Read of the Day.

What Next for President Obama ?

The US Senate reports on the final vote for the Obama Economic Plan. In the end it got through with three moderate Republican votes, 60 -38. It can be argued that President Obama has failed to change the working environment in D.C. It will be interesting to see how the President deals with other difficult issues, like Health Care. Also the President might need Republicans when it comes to National Security Issues like, Iraq, Afghanistan and Terror. Also if the Economic Plan does not work, the fault will be down to the Obama Administration, out of over five hundred members of Congress, Obama could get only three Republican votes, he does not have the charm of Reagan, the political skills of Bill Clinton, the Republicans do not fear Obama as Democrats feared Reagan. The President could have a tough four years on the Hill.

Death in Afghanistan

BBC News: Reports another British Soldier has died in Afghanistan, the total of UK dead now stands at 144. This wont be the last death, in till we have an EXIT route out of Afghanistan there will be more deaths. Lets hope the USA and UK surge works, have my doubts, let honour those that have fallen in service to the UK.

Change of Heart ?

The White House: Reports the reaction of the Obama Administration to the loss of the Gregg Nomination. The White House states the following, "Senator Gregg reached out to the President and offered his name for Secretary of Commerce. He was very clear throughout the interviewing process that despite past disagreements about policies, he would support, embrace, and move forward with the President’s agenda. Once it became clear after his nomination that Senator Gregg was not going to be supporting some of President Obama’s key economic priorities, it became necessary for Senator Gregg and the Obama administration to part ways. We regret that he has had a change of heart. " There is different view from Senator Gregg, in his view he didn't seek the office, he was chosen by President Obama not the other way around. The President has stated in a interview that it was Gregg that sought the office. Thus as stated in previous post a breakdown of communication. President Obama is finding that D.C rules are tough, politicians play to win, both in the Democratic and Republican Party.

Gone, Gone another Obama Nominee!

BBC News: Reports another Obama nominee; this time Republican New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg; has withdrawn his nomination because he could not support the Obama Economic Plan. In pure political terms President Obama has to look at his West Wing Operation, this is getting the silly, to many nominees that have had to withdraw due to legal or tax reasons, the latest shows a breakdown of communication. Obama needs a new Chief of Staff, he needs a Chief of Staff that can get Republican support but is moderate, again I suggest former Secretary of State James Baker, he was Chief of Staff to President Ronald Reagan, one of the best run political operations in history, he was Treasury Secretary when the market went in free fall and in the Administration of Bush 41 he was Secretary of State, thus was part of the team that had success in the Gulf, and the end of the Cold War. This would show that Obama could think outside the box, Ronald Reagan appointed Baker even after he had run the Bush Campaign against the Gipper.