Give the American People the Win

by Daniel Gardner, Special to the Gazette

I’ve been reading Bret Baier’s latest book on American presidents, “To Rescue the American Spirit – Teddy

Roosevelt and the Birth of a Superpower.” Among many other endeavors,

Bret is anchor of “Special Report with Bret Baier” on Fox News Channel.

Baier paints a powerful picture of

Roosevelt as a boy stricken with asthma transforming himself into one of the most powerful leaders of America and the Western World.

Eerily similar to our current president from New York,

Theodore

Roosevelt was drafted into politics by politicians who recognized his natural independent leadership and love for the people. Baier wrote, “

Roosevelt relished the job before him. He was offended by the matter-of-fact way government operated to further the interests of the political parties rather than the interests of the people. He especially abhorred the hypocrisy inherent in the system. When a party was in power, it took every advantage to advance its own agenda at the expense of the greater good. And when it lost power, it devoted the same amount of energy to railing against the same behaviors practiced by the opposing party.”

In other words, politicians in Washington are essentially the same today as they have been for the past 125 years or so.

I believe T. R.

Roosevelt and Donald J. Trump would have been friends and allies in terms of their likes and passion for the people over political games for personal gains.

On the other hand,

I believe T. R.

Roosevelt would have despised the Obamas, Bidens, and Schumers of the world particularly when it came to international relations.

Roosevelt was a champion of peace through strength, or preparedness as he called it in the midst of leaders prone to “catastrophes.”

Baier quoted

Roosevelt saying, “‘Americans learn only from catastrophes and not from experience,’

Roosevelt insisted, casting a critical eye on the nation’s history.”

Baier continued, “He believed that an excessive thirst for peace had blinded the nation’s leaders to the necessity of being fully prepared for war, mocking the tendency of some people to equate preparedness with a desire for war. Preparedness didn’t make war more likely, he insisted, referring to his own study of the War of 1812.”

Until Donald J. Trump became president all politics were win-lose games whether at home or abroad.

President Trump applied his own lessons in business to his politics by going for win-win situations. This strategy confused and angered his detractors. They admit they don’t know what he’s doing or why. The only strategy they know is to win or lose. And

President Trump keeps winning while they stew in their own brew of Trump Derangement Syndrome.

Roosevelt’s attitude was very much like Trump’s attitude toward international negotiations and relationships. “

Toward all other nations, large and small, our attitude must be one of cordial and sincere friendship. We must show not only in our words, but in our deeds, that we are earnestly desirous of securing their good will by acting toward them in a spirit of just and generous recognition of all their rights.” T.R.

Roosevelt had his detractors too, but they bound themselves to more polite expressions than

President Trump’s detractors. Bless their hearts.

Democrats in congress have shutdown government to beat Trump and the Republicans. Surely five more Democrat senators can vote to reopen the government for the people. Page A2 Thursday, November 6, 2025 MAGNOL

IA GAZETTE