Martin Van Buren may not have controlled all of his own destiny because Jackson's actions fell on Van Buren. Had Jackson stayed in another term, in my opinion, he would have indeed fell victim to a destiny he created. Martin Van Buren was merely his proxy.
The current POTUS is damaging his own presidency and unfortunately, regardless of talk of a 3rd term (unconstitutional) he won't suffer at the ballot box for his self-inflicted illegal use of tariffs. But his party will likely suffer for it in the 2026 mid-terms.
Kamala took the hit for Joe Biden in many ways particularly on Gaza. But like Van Buren, she played the loyal lieutenant. In my view she needed to do two things to win which was a balancing act between playing INTO the administration while setting herself apart
1. Play into the administration and Democrats successes in the first two years- significant Democratic legislation included the American Rescue Plan Act (March 2021), Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (November 2021), Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (March 2022), and the CHIPS and Science Act (August 2022), Inflation Reduction Act (August 2022), and Respect for Marriage Act (December 2022). These bills addressed areas like economic recovery, infrastructure development, and climate change, among other issues. These legislative victories spurred job growth and jobs back to the USA
2. Set herself apart on some key aspects of the Biden approach, particularly on Gaza. Just say that the president is the final decision maker and while she has had discussion about his approach, she respects he is the boss but would consider different options depending on the situation at the time should she get elected.
Instead, Harris, like Van Buren, she took the hit.
Great essay about a little-known president! A bit of trivia: I read sometime back that Van Buren was the only U.S. president who had had to learn English as a second language. Van Buren had grown up in a Dutch-speaking home and didn't learn English until he went to school.
Martin Van Buren may not have controlled all of his own destiny because Jackson's actions fell on Van Buren. Had Jackson stayed in another term, in my opinion, he would have indeed fell victim to a destiny he created. Martin Van Buren was merely his proxy.
The current POTUS is damaging his own presidency and unfortunately, regardless of talk of a 3rd term (unconstitutional) he won't suffer at the ballot box for his self-inflicted illegal use of tariffs. But his party will likely suffer for it in the 2026 mid-terms.
Kamala took the hit for Joe Biden in many ways particularly on Gaza. But like Van Buren, she played the loyal lieutenant. In my view she needed to do two things to win which was a balancing act between playing INTO the administration while setting herself apart
1. Play into the administration and Democrats successes in the first two years- significant Democratic legislation included the American Rescue Plan Act (March 2021), Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (November 2021), Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (March 2022), and the CHIPS and Science Act (August 2022), Inflation Reduction Act (August 2022), and Respect for Marriage Act (December 2022). These bills addressed areas like economic recovery, infrastructure development, and climate change, among other issues. These legislative victories spurred job growth and jobs back to the USA
2. Set herself apart on some key aspects of the Biden approach, particularly on Gaza. Just say that the president is the final decision maker and while she has had discussion about his approach, she respects he is the boss but would consider different options depending on the situation at the time should she get elected.
Instead, Harris, like Van Buren, she took the hit.
Not sure those ridiculous mutton chops did him any favors either…
Great essay about a little-known president! A bit of trivia: I read sometime back that Van Buren was the only U.S. president who had had to learn English as a second language. Van Buren had grown up in a Dutch-speaking home and didn't learn English until he went to school.