James Buchanan was a rare president who announced at the start of his first term that he wouldn’t run again. In doing so he made himself that endangered species of democracy, the “lame duck.” The label comes from the 18th century and signifies an injured member of a flock, a bird that becomes a target for hawks and other predators. Initially applied in the world of finance, where creditors were the ones to watch out for, it extrapolated to politics to signify a president who couldn’t or wouldn’t defend himself at the next election.
Great recounting of President Buchanan, Dr. Brands. Would love a future piece analyzing whether you think secession would have happened without the 1859 revolt by John Brown.
Great recounting of President Buchanan, Dr. Brands. Would love a future piece analyzing whether you think secession would have happened without the 1859 revolt by John Brown.
Lincoln seems to be as helpful to Buchanan, as Roosevelt later was to Hoover.