The hottest Presidential History Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

The Carter/Reagan moment and the Biden/Trump moment

The Crucial Years • 1813 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Energy Policy Climate change Presidential History
  1. Jimmy Carter was a strong advocate for solar energy, emphasizing its potential to free the U.S. from reliance on foreign oil. His early support included funding for solar research and ambitious goals for solar energy use in America.
  2. The transition to clean energy has faced obstacles from political leaders like Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump, who pushed for fossil fuel dependency. However, recent legislation, like the Inflation Reduction Act, has reignited investment in renewable energy.
  3. There is a growing global movement supporting clean energy, and many countries, including China, are advancing in this area. This collective effort can help counteract any slowdowns in the U.S. transition towards a green energy future.

Why Biden failed

Silver Bulletin • 1209 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Analysis Public Opinion Presidential History Policy Issues
  1. Biden faced huge challenges from the pandemic, his age, and a divided Democratic Party. These factors made it hard for him to keep his promises to the voters.
  2. His approach to tackling multiple crises at once hurt his effectiveness. Instead of focusing on solving one problem, he tried to handle everything, which didn't work out well.
  3. Despite being popular when he started, Biden's approval ratings dropped as various issues like inflation and crime grew. His age also became a concern for many voters.

Yes, Trump Is a Demagogue. But So Were Many of His Forebears.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 352 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Rhetoric Presidential History
  1. Demagoguery is when leaders use people's emotions to gain power, and it can be both good and bad depending on how it's used.
  2. The American founders were worried about demagoguery because they thought it could harm the government and public trust.
  3. Many people find it hard to talk about demagoguery because they often see it as just a bad thing, but it's actually a more complex issue in politics.

Jimmy Carter as public manager

Can We Still Govern? • 205 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform Civil Service Presidential History
  1. Jimmy Carter was the last U.S. President to pass significant civil service reforms, focusing on modernizing and protecting government workers from political interference. This shows how important it is to balance accountability and ethics in government.
  2. Carter introduced the idea of Zero-Based Budgeting to the federal government, but it didn't work. This highlights the challenges of applying private sector methods in a political system that operates differently.
  3. The principles set by Carter's reforms for federal employees emphasize fairness and merit, which are important for creating a trustworthy government. Striking the right balance between political influence and protection for government workers is still an ongoing debate.

Reckoning with the Biden Lie

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 47 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Analysis Election Commentary Media Critique Presidential History
  1. Many people ignored signs that Biden might not be fit to serve long-term, but now they are facing the truth about his capabilities. There was a illusion among politicians and media about Biden's readiness that is being dismantled.
  2. Despite some issues, Biden achieved significant policy successes, especially in areas like green energy and healthcare. His administration made important moves against corporate power and economic recovery.
  3. As Biden's presidency ends, he may not have the chance to improve his public image like other past presidents. His time in office will likely be overshadowed by his age and the stark contrast with Donald Trump's influence.
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Do I Like Ike?

Castalia • 479 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidential History Political Leadership Civil Rights Cold War Political parties
  1. Eisenhower's leadership style was gentle and focused on teamwork. He aimed to create a positive political atmosphere and avoid conflict.
  2. He was criticized for not taking a strong stance on key issues like desegregation. Some people felt he should have shown more moral leadership during his presidency.
  3. Despite being popular in his time, Eisenhower's legacy is often overlooked today. Many aspects of his presidency, like budget balance and civility, are worth reflecting on as they contrast with today's politics.

Behind the Op-Ed: My latest in the New York Times

Study Marry Kill • 157 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidential History Political Commentary Historical Analysis
  1. The author is a presidential historian who dislikes Presidents' Day.
  2. The op-ed in the New York Times was inspired by a rewritten story of The Emperor's New Clothes.
  3. The author emphasizes the importance of public holidays for a sense of self and suggests celebrating Presidents' Day as a reflection of an active electorate's choice.