The Opposite of Teddy Roosevelt Let me say this very clearly for all 99 of my colleagues: Nobody serving in this chamber can even begin, can even begin, to imagine what a completely scorched-earth Senate would look like . . . This chaos would not open up an express lane to liberal change. It would...Read More
Here’s some unsolicited advice for Democrats and their supporters: if you want to win the midterms next week (never mind the White House in 2020), figure out how to make an emotional — not intellectual — connection with voters. Think, more Teddy Roosevelt, less Adlai Stevenson. In a nutshell, that was my reaction to Ross...Read More
What Would Teddy Tweet? [Editor’s Note: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway, or any other entity referenced.] Would 26th President (“walk softly and carry a big stick”) Teddy Roosevelt have tweeted? Put it this way: I’m pretty sure that a guy who, after being...Read More
Goring BOTH Parties’ Oxes: Why 2016 May Be the Year Americans Use “Ranked Choice Voting”** to Elect the President There were no computers (and ranked choice voting) when Woodrow Wilson was elected in 1912, but if there had been, runner-up Teddy Roosevelt would likely have been chosen President instead. After all, a majority of voters...Read More
The Advantage(s) of an Obstructionist Minority Personally, I’m ambivalent about whether the U.S. should intervene militarily in Syria in the wake of the Assad regime’s gassing its own people. But, I think it’s a big mistake to say you’ll intervene . . . and then not do it. Or leave it up to an obstructionist,...Read More
“What Would TR Do?” “It’s too soon to tell.” –Mao Tse Tung’s response, when asked (in 1947) about the consequences of the French Revolution. Just as perspective is needed to appreciate signal historical events, so, too, is distance required to assess great individuals. More than a century after Teddy Roosevelt successfully challenged the monopolists and concentrated financial...Read More
