24 Questions
What was the reason behind James Bacon's appointment as director of operations of the Presidential Personnel Office?
His loyalty to the President
What was Woodrow Wilson's approach to governance?
Pragmatic and idealistic
What was the significance of the Federal Reserve Act of 1913?
It reformed the American banking system
What was the role of John McEntee in the Presidential Personnel Office?
Head of the Office
What was the expectation from members of the White House during the Covid-19 crisis?
To prioritize loyalty to the President
What was Woodrow Wilson's approach to speaking with the media?
Open and accessible
What was the main purpose of John McEntee's role in the Presidential Personnel Office?
To plant loyalists throughout the government
What was the reason behind Esper's disagreement with the White House?
He prioritized his duty to the rule of law
What was the saying in 2008 that symbolized optimism?
Rosa sat so Martin could walk so Obama could run so we can all fly
What followed the optimism in 2008?
Disappointment and a revisit to earlier history
What is unique about the polarization between political camps?
It has complete disregard for opponents
What do the USA and UK share in terms of government?
A common platform and faith in pragmatism
How many years did it take to unfold the US Constitution?
15 years
What document did Thomas Jefferson author?
The Declaration of Independence
What is notable about the Declaration of Independence?
It is a clear and logical statement
What was the year of the American War of Independence?
1775-1790
What was the primary goal of the Federal Trade Commission established by President Wilson?
To liberalize trade and open the world to an international trading system
What was President Wilson's initial stance on entering World War I?
He was opposed to entering the war, but eventually changed his mind
What was President Wilson's vision for the post-World War I era?
The formation of the League of Nations
What do Presidents Wilson and Obama have in common?
They were both intellectuals and idealists
What was the mood of the American people when Presidents Wilson and Obama left office?
Pessimistic and angry
What was the narrative of the civil rights movement during President Obama's election in 2008?
A belief in incremental progress and expanding opportunity
What quote did President Obama help to popularize?
The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice
Who held a meeting in a conference room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in 2020?
McEntee
Study Notes
Loyalty and Politics
- Prioritizing duty to the rule of law over loyalty can lead to consequences, as seen in the case of Esper's comments that angered the White House.
- The President's demand for loyalty appears absolute, even in the face of power grabs that threaten constitutional guardrails.
- Loyalty can outweigh experience and qualifications, as seen in the hiring of James Bacon as director of operations of the Presidential Personnel Office.
Woodrow Wilson
- Woodrow Wilson was a scholar, professor, and politician who became President of the University in the early 1920s.
- He was a mixture of pragmatic politics and visionary idealism, known for his easy speech and openness to the media.
- He implemented reforms, laid the foundation of the modern American banking system, and established the Federal Trade Commission.
- Initially, he was an isolationist, but later changed his mind and supported the US entering World War I.
- He sowed the seeds of the League of Nations and had a vision of peace in his 14 points.
Comparison of Wilson and Obama
- Both Wilson and Obama were intellectuals and idealists who were re-elected.
- Both left office with Americans in a bad mood, with a populist sentiment.
- Obama's election in 2008 was marked by an optimistic narrative of the civil rights movement, but later years saw disappointment and a renewed focus on earlier history.
Current U.S. Politics
- The current political landscape is marked by polarization between political camps, with no respect for adversaries.
- The relationship between the USA and the UK explains a lot of things in current US politics, with a shared platform of building on the past, pragmatism, and experience.
U.S. Constitution
- The U.S. Constitution was developed over a period of 15 years (1775-1790) with considerable difficulty and debate.
- The Constitution includes seven articles and the first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights.
- The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, was a key document in the American War of Independence and is considered a fine work of literature.
- The Declaration is a clear and logical statement of why the colonies wanted their independence.
This quiz assesses your understanding of political loyalty in the context of US politics, including the role of the President and the rule of law.
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