Mr. McDonald goes to Washington

The Tuscaloosa News ^ | January 12, 2004 | Gilbert Cruz

[petitfour]

For many, meeting the president of the United States would be an intimidating affair. Forrest McDonald, however, approached George W. Bush with nary a shiver.

“I walked up, pointed my finger at him and said, 'I know you, you’re the president of the United States,’ " McDonald said.

To which George W. Bush replied, “Oh, you’re the famous historian."

Which he certainly is. McDonald, a professor emeritus of history at the University of Alabama, is one of America’s most noted scholars on the Constitution and the founding fathers.

And on Dec. 11, he attended a holiday dinner at the White House, an invitation that practically came out of nowhere.

“They just called me up and asked me to come," he said. “About three-quarters of the people there were old friends of the president, and the other dozen or so were just people the president wanted to meet."

Two years ago, during a Bush fund-raising visit to Birmingham, Karl Rove -- one of the president’s closest political advisers -- asked McDonald to speak before a group of senior staffers.

After that, McDonald said, Bush heard about his reputation and picked up a couple of his books. And then came the invitation. However, Bush wasn’t the first American president with whom the historian has dined.

McDonald has also met with President Ronald Reagan, after being named the National Endowment for the Humanities Jefferson Lecturer, and Richard Nixon, on the eve of the 1992 presidential election.

McDonald said each experience was different: Reagan was charming and fun. Nixon was extremely learned. But the 15-minute conversation with Bush?

“I taught at Brown while he was at Yale, so it was almost as if I was talking to one of my former students."

If nothing else, though, the dinner provided McDonald with the topic for his next book. Initially, the retired professor was planning to write about the great financial crises of American history. His conversation with Bush changed all that.

“[Bush] said a very interesting thing. He said that when he came into office, this country was so close to economic collapse that if he had not acted quickly, there would have been some serious trouble.

“And that’s going to be my next book, about economic collapses that were narrowly averted because someone took action at the right time."

[petitfour]

Here's a story about Forrest McDonald dining with President Bush in December. I'm not sure why the Tuscaloosa News printed a story about it a month later, but they did. I did not see this story when it was published, or I would have posted it then. There's a pic that accompanies the story, but I'm too lazy to figure out how to post it. :)

[CyberAnt]

Post pictures

[Publius]

McDonald is a conservative historian, but a Hamiltonian, rather than a Jeffersonian, conservative.

His book States' Rights and the Union should be required reading for those who wish to participate in FR threads on this subject.

I recommend that FReepers hit Amazon and buy everything Professor McDonald has ever written. He is one of the best historians I've ever encountered, and his prose style is easy to understand. Even Novo Ordo Saeculorum, which is a tough slog at times, is a critical books if you wish to understand the philosophers who drove the Founders' thoughts.

[Jemian]

“[Bush] said a very interesting thing. He said that when he came into office, this country was so close to economic collapse that if he had not acted quickly, there would have been some serious trouble.

You mean the previous administration did not provide the wonderful economic boon as we all thought? Imagine that! /sarcasm

This needs more publicity during this election year.

[petitfour]

I don't know how! Well, I suppose I could figure it out, but . . .

[petitfour]

I heartily recommend all Forrest McDonald books, too. We have a shelf full of 'em. And we're eagerly awaiting his next.

[CyberAnt]

I always email mine to someone on the thread who posts it for me. You could try that!

[petitfour]

WELL NOW! There you go!

[petitfour]

By the way . . . the President is the one in the middle. :)

[CyberAnt]

Geeee .. I'm glad you told me .. I don't think I would have known.

[petitfour]

Husband wrote that. He was just remarking on how distinguished Forrie looks.

[bourbon]

Thanks for the ping! The last time I saw McDonald was at a Philadelphia Society meeting about four years ago. I was flattered that he remembered me from his undergrad. history class at Alabama. Unfortunately, I was only able to take one of his classes while I was there. (sigh...)

[bourbon]

ping.

[alwaysconservative]

To which George W. Bush replied, “Oh, you’re the famous historian."

In contrast to the supposedly "brilliant" Algore, who couldn't even recognize Washington and Jefferson in paintings, and has to ask someone!

[petitfour]

I just conducted my own interview of Dr. McDonald regarding his visit with the President and First Lady Laura Bush. (not an official interview, of course) He was so thrilled with the opportunity to spend time with the First Couple. He said, "A good time was had by all." He also liked the Bushes very much. He asked Laura Bush if she would give him a kiss on the cheek so he could brag about it when he returned to Alabama. She very graciously obliged.

Also, Dr. McDonald's next book will be coming out in the Spring (April/May). I'm not sure if he has already begun working on the book inspired by the POTUS. It usually takes him about two years to do all the writing/editing process.

[Publius]

Do you know the name of his new book? I've just re-read his biography of Hamilton, The American Presidency, and States' Rights and the Union (which I loaned to FReeper Billthedrill last fall).

Any McDonald book is a major event. (You can tell him I said that.)

[petitfour]

I can't remember what he said the name of the new book is. It is a memoir of his years as a conservative historian in a liberal world. I told him about posting the article about him here on FR, and I told him what you said yesterday. He is very humble, which is why hubby and I think so highly of him. I will tell him his books are "major events." He will be tickled.

As soon as I find out the exact title, I will let you know. It will be published by the University of Kansas Press, or whatever it's called.

[bourbon]

Dr. McDonald's wife may be the best editor I have ever met in my life. IMHO, her skills in this department are unrivaled.

[petitfour]

I believe Forrest McDonald agrees wholeheartedly. (as do hubby and I)