Presidential Food

I was watching Food Network and saw an episode of Top 5, which covered their top 5 choices of presidential favorite foods. I thought I’d share the tidbits here for you all:

5.) BBQ

• This was LBJ’s favorite. In 1964, the Johnsons held a state dinner for the President-elect of Mexico, Diaz Ordaz. Check out LBJ’s toast if you like as well. LBJ held over 100 official BBQ as a president.

4.) French Fries

• Pommes Frites (what we know call French Fries – they were named by WWI soldiers) were discovered by Thomas Jefferson while he was Minister to France. In 1802 he included “potatoes fried in the French manner” at a White House dinner.

3.) Potato Chips

• Bill Clinton was a fan of Martin’s Potato Chips and had them stocked in Air Force One. Actually Martin’s still provides 30 cases a month to Air Force One even though Clinton is no longer in the White House. Clinton discovered these chips in 1991 while campaigning.

2.) French Cuisine

• The Kennedys love of French food brought the entire US into a love affair with French cuisine. The Kennedys’ favorite French restaurant was La Caravelle in New York City and Jackie called their head chef to find her a new White House chef. La Caravelle actually trained her chef, Rene Verdon, for two weeks before he started at the White House. [You can read about White House chefs and choosing a new one in this article.] There was one American dish that JFK insisted be prepared regularly though – New England Clam Chowder.

1.) Jelly Beans

• Ronald Reagan discovered jelly beans in 1967 while Governor of California. He used them to help him kick his pipe smoking habit. When the new Jelly Bellys came out in 1976, he was quick to make the switch. When he became president, the company made a new flavor – blueberry – so that red, white and blue jelly beans could be served as his inauguration. They provided 3.5 tons of jelly beans for the inauguration.

And a few more presidential food facts:

• Nixon enjoyed cottage cheese with ketchup on it.
• The Madisons introduced a novel new dish at their inauguration – ice cream

In the theme of presidential food, I enjoy mysteries as well as presidential non-fiction (yes, I do have normal interests). A few weeks ago I picked up a new book to try: The State of the Onion by July Hyzy. The main character is a White House assistant chef. It was actually a rather enjoyable read – nothing really historical, but it was quite amusing. Olivia Paras (Ollie) stumbles into the middle of the Secret Service chasing an intruder off and becomes involved in a hunt for an assassin.

The Clintons Tax Returns

The Clintons released their tax returns. According to the article, they have made almost $109 million since 2000. Supposedly the rest of the candidates will be releasing their tax returns as well - definitely something to keep an eye out for. We have posted here before as most presidents now release their tax returns, even though they are not required to, if it is something you are interested in viewing.

Poll: Which 20th century American President was the most responsible for starting a war?

The poll has closed for the question, "Which 20th century American President was the most responsible for starting a war?" Thanks to all who participated by voting.

George H.W. Bush was the leading vote getter with 41% for the Persian Gulf War. President Kennedy was second with 29% for the Vietnam War. President Clinton was third with 12% for the Kosovo War. Truman polled 9% for the Korean War and Wilson got 6% for World War One.

I could only place five Presidents on the poll. As such, I left FDR off. I hardly think he started World War Two so I think this was a good choice. I am going to get off the war theme and try a different sort of poll question next.

U.S. Presidency Isn't Easy to Pass Along

So, is it tough for one American President to pass the job onto someone else? An article at Yahoo! argues that it is. David Shribman wrote an essay titled U.S. Presidency Isn't Easy to Pass Along. The current Presidential election is included as he talks about Hillary Clinton and George W. Bush.

Shribman wrote, "The thing about the presidency is that it's usually nontransferable...There are exceptions, of course. James Madison wanted James Monroe, his secretary of state (and his secretary of war), to ascend to the White House. Thomas Jefferson supported Monroe as well. Together, they pulled it off. Monroe served two terms and lent his name to the most important foreign-policy doctrine in American history. Andrew Jackson was able to choose his successor, too."

Teddy Roosevelt was able to get Taft elected as well. However, he soon regretted it and ran against him in 1912. And the first President Bush probably had soon influence in getting the second President Bush elected as well eight years after his term ended.

However, many other presidents have failed to get their annointed successor elected. Or, they have not even tried to do so. Shribman wrote, " The problem with trying to transfer the presidency is that the transferrer (a) doesn't have any power to do so; and (b) oftentimes has disadvantages of his own ("negatives," in the argot of politics). Touring the United States in 1842, Charles Dickens described Washington as a City of Magnificent Intentions. Every presidential aspirant is a candidate of Magnificent Intentions. But every president is necessarily a politician of Magnificent Disappointments. The hazards of a president's record detracts from the hope of a candidate's appeal."

Which leads to Hillary Clinton. Can Bill Clinton help get her elected or does his presence actually hurt her? McCain is supportive of many of President Bush's policies but Bush is not embracing McCain. And McCain seems to appreciate that. Is Hillary's link to a past president hurting her? Or has it gotten her further than she would have on her own? Of course, it may make no difference at all.

Poll: Which president was least loyal to his party or campaign promises after being elected?

The poll has closed for the question, "Which president was least loyal to his party or campaign promises after being elected?" Thanks to all who participated by voting.

The current President Bush was the winner with 39%. Bill Clinton was a close second with 30%. President Wilson was third with 14%. Thomas Jefferson and FDR were fourth and fifth with 8% and 7%. Thanks to Inner Prop for the poll suggestion.

These polls are a popular feature at this blog. However, it is also a pain to think up a new question every week. Starting with the new poll, I am going to let each one run fourteen days instead of seven. As always, feel free to post a comment if you have a suggestion for a poll.

Bill Clinton: 9/11 Was NOT an Inside Job

Bill Clinton versus a heckler convinced that 9/11 was a government conspiracy. President Clinton was not amused and does a good job responding. This short clip is fun and shows how forminable a speaker President Clinton is when he gets going.

Poll: Which Presidential couple had the most tumultuous marriage?

The has closed for the question, "Which Presidential couple had the most tumultuous marriage?"

Bill and Hillary Clinton won with 32%. Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln came in a close second with 29%. JFK and his wife came in third and Franklin and Jane Pierce finished fourth.

Thanks to all who participated by voting.

Clinton Library AND UFO Files

The Clinton Library has recently released files of emails pertaining to things like the X-Files TV Show to a UFO researcher. They did withhold some of the emails because "they would 'constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy,' according to National Archives documents."

But as we can all guess, withholding documents on this subject just adds to the conspiracy fire. Some of the released files were on a staffer's obsession with the TV show, X-Files, and about President Clinton's yen to have access to the Sci-Fi channel at Camp David.

Poll Question: Which of these living Presidents would you most like to have dinner with?

The poll has closed for the question "Which of these living Presidents would you most like to have dinner with?" The winner was Bill Clinton with 50% of the vote. George W. Bush got second with 24%. Jimmy Carter came in third with 14%. The first President Bush came in last with 10%.

Thanks to all who voted in this unscientific poll. Also, thanks to Jennie for suggesting this question.

Poll: Which was the worst Presidential scandal?

The poll for the question, "Which was the worst Presidential scandal?" has closed. Not surprisingly, Watergate (Nixon) won easily with 54%. Teapot Dome (Harding) was second with 14%. Monica Lewinsky (Clinton) and Iran-Contra (Reagan) were tied at third with 12%. The Whiskey Ring (Grant) was last with 5%.

Thanks to all who participated in this non-scientific poll.

President Clinton as King Kong?

It seems every year, crazy leaders of antagonistic countries come to the United Nations and make outrageous speeches. President George W. Bush got hit last year by Venezualean President Hugo Chávez who called him a devil. This year, Iranian President and Holocaust denier Mahmoud Ahmadinejad railed against "selfish and incompetent" powers that have "obedience to Satan." I guess Bush and the USA is somewhat diabolical in his view.

This has all happened before. In 1950, according to the International Times Tribune, Wu Xiuquan, a Chinese representative, denounced the Truman administration effort to promote Taiwan, saying, "This is a preposterous farce, unworthy of refutation, in which Truman makes a mockery of Truman himself."

This same article noted, "Castro, in 1960 managed to insult two future American presidents at the same time. He described John F. Kennedy as 'a millionaire, illiterate and ignorant' and warned delegates against construing the comment as favoring Richard M. Nixon. 'As far as we're concerned,' he said, 'the two of them lack, should I say, political brains.' "

Probably the most entertaining UN babble came from Cuban foreign minister Roberto Robaina in 1996. He said of President Clinton, "We are facing a King Kong escaped from its cage, destroying and smashing without orientation or control."

Clinton as King Kong? Does that make Hillary Clinton Fay Wray?

Just wait until next year. I am sure that some nut who also happens to be a world leader will entertain the world with a rambling speech denouncing the President. And the year after that. And the following year. It does not matter who the president is and what party he or she will come from. The UN just seems to attract nutty anti-American speeches.

Clinton Interviews

Bill Clinton has a new book coming out, "Giving," and will be on Oprah on September 4th to promote it. According to the article, Clinton will also be on Larry King and David Letterman next week.

Father Hesburgh and the Congressional Gold Medal

(President Bill Clinton, Father Theodore M. Hesburgh, Senator Strom Thurmond and Speaker of the House Denny Hastert)

I am heading down to the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana tomorrow afternoon. I am going with a group of Central Michigan University doctoral students in educational leadership to have a meeting with Father Ted Hesburgh on Friday. I recently read a biography of Father Hesburgh and I am looking forward to talking with him in person.

Father Hesburgh served as Notre Dame's President for 35 years from 1952 to 1987. He holds the Guinness Book of World Records title for “Most Honorary Degrees”, having been awarded 150. He was also awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on December 9, 1999. During his long career, Hesburgh served as a member of the United States Civil Rights Commission from 1957 until 1972 when President Nixon fired him. He also served on the Knight Commission that overhauled college sports from 1990 to 1996.

The picture above is from the ceremony where Father Hesburgh received the Congressional Gold Medal. I watched a C-Span video of the event and found it of interest. The speakers including President Clinton were good although Senator Thurmond embarrassed himself by standing up and announcing loudly that he had to go vote!

Here are some good sites on Father Hesburgh:

Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C. - From the University of Notre Dame.

Theodore M. Hesburgh - Encyclopædia Britannica Article.

Theodore Hesburgh - From Wikipedia.

What Modern US President Are You Most Like?

You Are Most Like Bill Clinton

No doubt, your legacy may be a little seedier than you'd like. But even though you've done some questionable things, you're still loved by almost all.

What Modern US President Are You Most Like?

I question the validity of this. I was hoping to come out like Ronald Reagan! Go ahead and give this a try and see which recent American President you may be like.

Key player in Clinton library discusses perks of being a presidential site

Key player in Clinton library discusses perks of being a presidential site. I found this short but interesting news report about the benefits that a city receives when it hosts a presidential library.

There is a list of questions and answers with James L. “Skip” Rutherford. I loved this one:

Q What was the worst advice you received during the bid for the Clinton library?

A If you build it, they will come. It’s not true.

What, tourists do not flock to presidential libraries? I am shocked. :]

Father Involvement in Schools

Father Involvement in Schools. This is an ERIC Digest from 1999. It reports the results of an order that President Clinton gave in 1995 on including fathers in policy decisions. This included education.

From the site:

Until recently, fathers were the hidden parent in research on children's well-being. Their importance to children's financial well-being was widely accepted, but their contribution to other aspects of children's development was often assumed to be secondary to that of mothers and was not usually examined. Reflecting this bias in research on child development, many federal agencies, and programs dealing with family issues, focused almost exclusively on mothers and their children. In 1995, President Clinton issued a memorandum requesting that all executive departments and agencies make a concerted effort to include fathers in their programs, policies, and research programs where appropriate and feasible (Clinton, 1995). Research stimulated by the new interest in fathers suggests that fathers' involvement in their children's schools does make a difference in their children's education (Nord, Brimhall, & West, 1997).

This Digest looks at the extent to which fathers are involved in their children's schools and the link between fathers' involvement and kindergartners' through 12th-graders' school performance, using data from the 1996 National Household Education Survey (NHES:96).

Clinton Library offers 'green' tours

Clinton Library offers 'green' tours. I did not realize that the Clinton Library was built in such an environmentally friendly manner. It was and the staff of the library are proud of this fact.

From the site:

Visitors to Bill Clinton's presidential library probably wouldn't guess that they're treading on rubber-tire floors and looking up at soda-can ceilings. But the library now offers a special "green" tour to feature its environmentally friendly construction.

Before architects started designing, they knew former President Clinton wanted his library on the banks of the Arkansas River to be energy efficient. The final product was the first and only presidential library to earn an award from the U.S. Green Building Council for environmental design.

The library started offering the "green" tours in late September for a weekend meeting of the American Solar Energy Society. But the tour proved so popular that the museum now offers it each Saturday and for groups upon request.

Bill, Hillary and Teddy

Bill, Hillary and Teddy. This article from is a bit more partisan than most I post here. I does this on purpose as I am not trying to take sides on current political events but instead look at neat sites or articles which cover a President or the presidency.

This particluar one looks at how Hillary Clinton is trying to link herself to Teddy Roosevelt. I don't agree with the general tone of the article but if you can get past the political stuff early in the article you will find a good stretch of writing on the life of Teddy Roosevelt.

From the site:

Roosevelt was a founder of the Rough Riders (the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry), which he, as their colonel, described as "cowboys and college graduates fighting together." He led his Rough Riders in their victorious charge up Kettle Hill during the Battle of San Juan against the Spanish in 1898, where wounded and successful, he won the Medal of Honor.

Enormously popular, he returned to New York to be elected governor. Probably to avoid more reforms in the Republican Party, the political bosses persuaded Roosevelt to become the vice presidential candidate to William McKinley in the 1900 election.

In 1901, when President McKinley was assassinated in Buffalo, Theodore Roosevelt went to the White House, at the age of 42, as the youngest president. He served out the term and won his own election three years later.

A true and genuine American hero, Roosevelt established the United States as a world power and popularized the "speak softly and carry a big stick" theory of international diplomacy. He also was a conservationist and established the "square deal" for both rich and poor, built up the Navy, reduced the national debt and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Clinton Library's universal appeal seen in its 365,000 visitors

Clinton Library's universal appeal seen in its 365,000 visitors. Well, President Clinton sure has a popular library. In the dead of summer, my library is all but abandonded by patrons. But the crowds are descending on the Clinton Library.

From the site:

The everyman appeal that Bill Clinton peddled in his political campaigns lives on at his presidential library. Among the more than 365,000 visitors who have passed through the library since November, no single demographic stands out.

"I just think he is the only president I'll ever see who will really understand me as a person, and that's why I wanted to see more," said Ava Carter, 48, a black Democrat traveling with James D. Stearns, 55, a white Republican.

At the peak of the summer travel season, business is booming at the Clinton Presidential Library. The museum and library complex along the south bank of the Arkansas River has averaged 10,000 visitors per week for the past nine weeks.

Bill Clinton Quotes

Bill Clinton Quotes. This is a short collection of President Clinto quotes at Uncover the Net. Is the first quote below real? Did Clinton really suggest that ninjas should go after al Qaeda?

From the site:

It would scare the shit out of al Qaeda if suddenly a bunch of black ninjas rappelled out of helicopters in to the middle of their camp. It would get us an enormous deterrence and show those guys we're not afraid. By Bill Clinton on al Qaeda

There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America. By Bill Clinton on America

You should have disagreements with your leaders and your colleagues, but if it becomes immediately a question of questioning people's motives, and if immediately you decide that somebody who sees a whole new situation differently than you must be a bad person and somehow twisted inside, we are not going to get very far in forming a more perfect union. By Bill Clinton on Disagreements

Our rich texture of racial, religious and political diversity will be a Godsend in the 21st century. Great rewards will come to those who can live together, learn together, work together, forge new ties that bind together. By Bill Clinton on Diversity