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CJR's avatar
Jun 12Edited

My wife made a great point - for the Reagan and Kennedy eras, for example, the information pipeline was print and nightly news. It was hard to avoid the attention and focus mainstream media put on these speeches and administrations. By comparison, today, not only is there an info funnel, it can be curated according to one's bias. Not to mention the exhaustive coverage on political figures such that there is hardly a recognizable news cycle - I can all but guarantee anyone who follows politics knows more about Obama than ever did about Reagan.

For my two cents, I think Reagan vs Obama as consequential presidents is a silly debate. Reagan initiated and presided over the beginnings of the culture wars that have debilitated even Congress, insurmountable income inequality, and the acceleration of the Christian conservative power grab. Reagan may be consequential, but only in the notorious sense to so many of my Gen X.

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Charley Graybell's avatar

The speech from Richard 2 is well before his disposition

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Jordan Schneider's avatar

appreciate the eye for detail!

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Charley Graybell's avatar

I think your point still stands though. He is clearly anticipating his downfall after being abandoned by the Welsh and many of his followers.

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Lucy Hornby's avatar

Terrific piece, very thought-provoking.

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Jordan Schneider's avatar

thanks so much lucy!

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listener's avatar

Obama slogan "Yes we can", imo is one of the most memorable in my lifetime and i remember it being hugely inspirational for many first time/young voters.

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Max Räuker's avatar

What an awesome episode! Thanks so much.

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