Theodore Roosevelt : A Real American Idol

Theodore Roosevelt was indeed one of the greatest Presidents to ever take the oath of office here in the United States. He had the luck and misfortune to know great pain as well as great accomplishments. He was considered an expert in numerous fields as well as New York Governor and later President of the United States. The legacy of T.R. is the kind of thing you only get once in a Century, if that often. Yet, had he lived today in our time of political correctness and typical weak politicians, he would probably be a king of business and not a President.

Here you have a man that was born so weak his very existence was in doubt and yet, his fierce determination later gave him a robust physique. He was born into high society but learned early on that the common man was more honest and efficient. He graduated magna-cum laude from Harvard University and also ran cattle in the Wild West. He suffered through the death of his mother and wife on the same day but the blow only toughened him further. He wrote hundreds of books and letters but was also known to dance a jig after a big game kill on safari. He took on big business in favor of the blue collar worker but also bullied tiny Caribbean nations. He openly courted the media for publicity and yet, he refused the cash prize when he won the Nobel Prize. This is all to say that T.R. was a complex man. He was a mix of intelligence, vigor, snob, hero, and humanitarian. He was the kind of man who talked the talk and walked the walk. He simply could not be matched as a competitor. You would have to hate him if he was not such a fine human being. It was said that even his enemies fell prey to his magnetic personality.

All that said, Theodore Roosevelt would never have won the presidency in this day and age. His very nature would have barred him from all but the lowest levels of politics. Just the fact that he was an avid hunter would have cost him votes in many parts of this country. His breeding and educational background would have been a plus but the press can not be played today as they were back then. One outburst, which was common of Teddy, would have doomed him as it did one Democratic candidate in the 2004 presidential election. T.R. was too rugged to participate in the polished affair of politics today. He was perfect for his time. So perfect was he that he could have enjoyed three terms as president if he had chosen. If a president tried some of Teddy's stunts today they would be impeached. He was known to say "The hell with the constitution" when confronted on certain issues. It is not that he was wrong but that he was so damn brash and unapologetic about his views. He believed so fiercely in his views that it was almost as if he thought he was doing God's work. This was great in the dawn of the 20^th century but politics today are a little more political. T.R. was more interested in getting things done than pleasing everyone. In today's political scene, a good politician would rather accomplish nothing and displease no one. It is generally felt that Theodore Roosevelt was a fine man as well as President but today, the old velvet glove over the iron fist comments could be a campaign killer. T.R. was the kind of man who might say "If you want to make an omelet, you have to break a few eggs!" and that kind of honesty will get you nowhere in today's political circles.

In conclusion, Theodore Roosevelt was as dynamic a president as we are ever likely to see. If the printed word is to be believed it was an almost electric experience to meet him. His list of accomplishments is unbelievable except for the fact that they are all well documented in our nation's history. T.R. overcame life threatening illness as well as the devastating loss of family to become our one and only rough riding, big game hunting, Nobel Prize winning 26^th President of the United States. He was an acclaimed cowboy and statesman the likes of which will never be seen again. That is exactly the reason he would never attain the presidency in the 21^st century. He was simply too strong for the post today. Then again, he overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles in the 19^th century. So he would probably speak softly and carry his big stick right into the oval office again today.