An FDR revival is needed. If FDR had been a conservative Republican, the Right would paint murals of him personally winning battles from Midway to Normandy. FDR’s is a monumental story, the Iliad and the Odyssey do not contain so many tales as this series. Burns’ work should be required reading, for this is our finest leader, a progressive Democrat who saved democracy.
FDR’s leadership in WWII has been intentionally downplayed by conservatives for decades. Some, like Buckley, demonized FDR’s role in the conflict, only granting later that perhaps it all worked out well in the end. Others of the American Right indulged in the Churchill legend, and had less to say about the “Democrat” American leader. This effort to limit discussion of FDR’s leadership in America’s greatest victory contributes to the myth that America was “great” in some legendary conservative past, setting aside the growing number of American right-wingers who are more taken with the Austrian.
Roosevelt led the country through Depression. He won the presidency four times. He did so through handicaps that this title (two books in one) outlines. In retrospect, his court packing scheme seems less concerning than the monumental abuses of subsequent presidents, none worse than the present occupant. Faced with the current Supreme Court, FDR’s proposals may be advisable. Internment camps were an exceptional drawback, but also serve as a lesson for current events.