American History

» Brian Tubbs - FDR

There have been some good arguments made, I think, that FDR blunted much more radical movements in America during the Depression era. The people of that era were DESPERATE and hurting - in a way that today's generation can't really understand. You had communism making inroads into America. You had demagogues like Huey Long becoming increasingly popular. FDR was an activist liberal, but he was a moderate compared to some of the alternatives on the Left.

And, as Pink said, he was also a very effective communicator. He gave America a dose of hope when it needed it.