Guilt by association?

Harry Truman was smeared with the Pendergast brush throughout his political career. The Star called Truman’s election to the Senate a “triumph of machine politics,” while others simply called him “the senator from Pendergast.”

Reporters asked Truman why he continued to maintain a close relationship with the Kansas City crime boss, even in his waning days. “Tom Pendergast has always been my friend,” responded Truman, “and I don’t desert a sinking ship.”

When Pendergast died, Vice President Truman flew to Kansas City in a military plane to pay his last respects. The press went wild and savagely critiqued this lack of propriety, but Truman was unperturbed. He would become a very good president, untouched by the sordid behavior of his old friend.

There is nothing new under the sun. Only the names change.

Voltaire, an 18th-century philosopher, offered this prayer; “May God defend me from my friends. I can defend myself from my enemies.”

Kenneth Lee
Raytown

Comments

[Engineer]

jack
If you are serious in your posts on this thread, I believe that you are qualified for the "Evian" Award. Just don't set the cup facing a mirror.

[solomon]

Find me the President of these United States without a questionable personal association. There is no way you can reach the pinnacle of american politics without something others will criticize.

One night in the mid 70s I was at Putchs Side Door on the Plaza having a conversation with a woman who was laughing at all of my jokes, but when I invited her to my apartment across the street she let me know quickly she was a prostitute.

Thats why I never ran for mayor.

[jack]

Apparently, everything here is in some "it's about Obama code" that only Rogue can read.

[Rogue]

Ken Lay, Charles Keating, are the same as Rev. Winky Wright jack (leg) I hardly think so.....I don't recall Lay or Keating screaming GD America, and I don't recall that Bush had a 20 year relationship with Lay. In fact Enron gave more to the Clinton than to Bush.......

Again, I hardly think yomama compares to Harry S.

[jack]

Oops, goofed! It couldn't be about Bush. The moment things got sticky, "Kenny Boy" became "Mr Lay". How fast did McCain run from Keating?

I guess the point of the letter is that it is a rare politician who doesn't run from his/her friends the instant it becomes inconvenient.

[jack]

So, this is about Obama? Amazing! I didn't think it said anyone but Harry Truman.

Could it have been about McCain and Charles Keating? How about Bush and "Kenny Boy" Lay?

Looks to me like it could be about several different politicians. Maybe all of them?

[Rogue]

So Ken, Osams Yomama Obama is another Harry S. Truman? I hardly think so......