ANNIVERSARY – AT 8:18 A.M. ET:  Today is the 77th anniversary of the first inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt. 

Roosevelt shaped the Democratic Party that most of us knew growing up, although I think he'd be appalled by its ineptitude and arrogance today.  And I think he'd be especially appalled at the foreign policy attitudes that have crept into the party, starting in the late sixties.

It was Roosevelt, not a Republican, who was Ronald Reagan's political hero, and for good reason.  Reagan understood the need to speak directly to the American people, over the heads of the press, and in terms people can understand, and no one did that better than Roosevelt.  And Reagan also understood what Barack Obama doesn't, and that is that a certain warmth in the voice, a connection with the public, is critical to a modern president. 

Roosevelt was the first president to use radio effectively and extensively.  He gave a series of "fireside chats" in which he discussed the crises before the nation.  The first was given on March 12, 1933, barely a week after his inauguration.  Here are the first paragraphs:

I want to talk for a few minutes with the people of the United States about banking -- to talk with the comparatively few who understand the mechanics of banking, but more particularly with the overwhelming majority of you who use banks for the making of deposits and the drawing of checks.

I want to tell you what has been done in the last few days, and why it was done, and what the next steps are going to be. I recognize that the many proclamations from State capitols and from Washington, the legislation, the Treasury regulations, and so forth, couched for the most part in banking and legal terms, ought to be explained for the benefit of the average citizen. I owe this, in particular, because of the fortitude and the good temper with which everybody has accepted the inconvenience and hardships of the banking holiday. And I know that when you understand what we in Washington have been about, I shall continue to have your cooperation as fully as I have had your sympathy and your help during the past week.

The tone of that was just right.  Explanation, not condescension.  Disciplined delivery, not rambling.  And a thank you to the American people for their support in his first week in office.

And there was a respect for the nation in Roosevelt's voice. 

Whether you agree or disagree with FDR's policies, his relationship with the people was critical to forging the modern presidency.  Obama could learn from listening to his speeches.  So, might I add, could some Republican leaders.  After all, the greatest Republican leader of our time listened very carefully, and learned a great deal.

March 4, 2010