[nicollo]

During hearings on campaign finance in 1912, Senator Clapp grilled banker and Republican congressman William B. McKinley (IL) over the $265,000 he raised for his party in 1908. "You are a practical business man and you have been a long time in politics --" Clapp droned. "--Oh no," interrupted Mckinley, without a smile. "I was an honest man until 1908."

Twain, as you noted in post no. 25, said it best. My favorite of his on Congress is: "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of congress; but I repeat myself."

Mr. Billybob, you can enlist me in your campaign, and I hope my friends at FR (ping!) and elsewhere will join. From here, just north of the DC line, I can almost feel the refreshing, cleansing wind coming from the NC hills... My publisher, McFarland & Co., is located in Jefferson. I'm too sad their zip code ain't on yer list. They're in 28640. I'll go visit 'em on your behalf, anyway.

One thing, though: I couldn't possibly let a TR quote go unanswered:

"A National Government cannot create good times. It cannot make the rain to fail, the sun to shine, or the crops to grow, but it can, by pursuing a meddlesome policy, attempting to change economic conditions, and frightening the investment of capital, prevent a prosperity and a revival of business which otherwise might have taken place ... The negative virtue of having taken no step to interfere with the coming of prosperity and the comfort of the people is one that ought highly to commend an administration, and the party responsibile for it, as worthy of further continuance in power.
- William Howard Taft, 1912

Nicollo unmasked: Bromleyisms here

[Caipirabob]

BUMP!

[Chong]

Can't wait to read your book, Michael. This man was something else; I am beginning to understand your enthusiasm about Taft more and more. His statement below SO hits home, I feel compelled to repeat it.

"A National Government cannot create good times. It cannot make the rain to fail, the sun to shine, or the crops to grow, but it can, by pursuing a meddlesome policy, attempting to change economic conditions, and frightening the investment of capital, prevent a prosperity and a revival of business which otherwise might have taken place ... The negative virtue of having taken no step to interfere with the coming of prosperity and the comfort of the people is one that ought highly to commend an administration, and the party responsibile for it, as worthy of further continuance in power. - William Howard Taft, 1912

[gonzo]

Damn, Billybob, I have a son in N.C., but he's a Communist sympathizer. Sorry, no help there.

If I start makin' some money again, I'll get on your donors list............FRegards

[austinTparty]

Thanks for the ping. Knew when I started reading that this was an irresistable post for you... TR, politics... too bad he didn't throw in a good car reference!

Your favorite Twain is one of my favs, too. But his quotes are all good stuff. Proper cynical attitude and a rapier wit.