Ballad of the Presidents: Reagan to Trump

If Reagan had been a more talented actor
He’d not have become a political factor
But one thing he learned and remembered by heart:
Success as a prez entails playing the part

Cameras all loved him and gave him a glow
His humor was real though his grin a bit faux
His best single line that did capture it all:
“Come on, Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

Bush flew for the navy in the Second World War
Came frightfully close to that last fatal door 
As forty-first prez with the Soviets disbanding
He guided the world to a safe and smooth landing

If Clinton had managed to master his britches
He wouldn't have struggled with so many hitches
Impeached he escaped without being convicted 
But dashed many hopes with distress self-inflicted

Bush Forty-three took the country to war 
Against Saddam Hussein, like his father before
The weapons he posited never were found
Reform of Iraq was soon lost on the ground

Obama’s main drama was largely front-loaded
First black in the White House, old notions exploded
Health care reform as the Congress divided
Otherwise gridlock, frustration presided

Populist, fabulist, breaker of rules
Trump treated norms as constrainers of fools 
He wore out his welcome, went down to defeat
Encouraged his faithful to take to the street

Biden with victory by Trumpists denied
Grappled with covid and V. Putin's pride
Inflation and shootings till symptoms of age 
Emerged to compel him to step off the stage 

Harris was left to prevent the return 
Of Trump and his movement of radical churn
The contest was close and was fought to the end
The outcome was Donald and MAGA again