Jim Robenalt
@jimrobenalt.bsky.social
Presidential historian, lawyer, author of 4 nonfiction books, Vanity Fair contributor
My feelings today
January 21, 2025 at 1:06 PM
My feelings today
Billboards popping up in various states
January 6, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Billboards popping up in various states
term limits for Supreme Court justices, the elimination of partisan gerrymandering, the clearer empowerment of Congress especially with regard to civil rights, limits on campaign spending, greater advancement of racial equality, and more protection of voting rights."
January 3, 2025 at 9:20 PM
term limits for Supreme Court justices, the elimination of partisan gerrymandering, the clearer empowerment of Congress especially with regard to civil rights, limits on campaign spending, greater advancement of racial equality, and more protection of voting rights."
"The constitutional reforms that are essential to save American democracy are not difficult to identify. They must include popular election of the president, the allocation of Senate seats based on population, the abolition or at least the reform of the filibuster,
January 3, 2025 at 9:20 PM
"The constitutional reforms that are essential to save American democracy are not difficult to identify. They must include popular election of the president, the allocation of Senate seats based on population, the abolition or at least the reform of the filibuster,
Prof Erwin Chemerinsky has the exact formula to regain American democracy:
Chemerinsky, Erwin. No Democracy Lasts Forever: How the Constitution Threatens the United States (p. 17). Liveright. Kindle Edition.
Chemerinsky, Erwin. No Democracy Lasts Forever: How the Constitution Threatens the United States (p. 17). Liveright. Kindle Edition.
January 3, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Prof Erwin Chemerinsky has the exact formula to regain American democracy:
Chemerinsky, Erwin. No Democracy Lasts Forever: How the Constitution Threatens the United States (p. 17). Liveright. Kindle Edition.
Chemerinsky, Erwin. No Democracy Lasts Forever: How the Constitution Threatens the United States (p. 17). Liveright. Kindle Edition.
Sayre was no stranger to the White House, and not just because he would occasionally show up to protest. Francis Sayre had been born in the White House fifty-eight years earlier, in January 1915. He was Woodrow Wilson’s first grandchild.
January 3, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Sayre was no stranger to the White House, and not just because he would occasionally show up to protest. Francis Sayre had been born in the White House fifty-eight years earlier, in January 1915. He was Woodrow Wilson’s first grandchild.
Bull responded that Sayre had been seen “wandering around with his marchers here on Saturday.” Francis Sayre was one of the foremost opponents of the war in Vietnam. On Saturday, December 30, Sayre had led a peaceful walk to the White House in protest against Christmas bombing of North Vietnam.
January 3, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Bull responded that Sayre had been seen “wandering around with his marchers here on Saturday.” Francis Sayre was one of the foremost opponents of the war in Vietnam. On Saturday, December 30, Sayre had led a peaceful walk to the White House in protest against Christmas bombing of North Vietnam.
Nixon with his secretary Steve Bull. When Bull reminded Nixon he had to make a decision on going to Truman's memorial service in the National Cathedral, Nixon asked: "Is there any way we can get out of it?" He eventually sent VP Agnew in his place. Nixon also hated the Dean Sayer of the Cathedral.
January 3, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Nixon with his secretary Steve Bull. When Bull reminded Nixon he had to make a decision on going to Truman's memorial service in the National Cathedral, Nixon asked: "Is there any way we can get out of it?" He eventually sent VP Agnew in his place. Nixon also hated the Dean Sayer of the Cathedral.
Parallels. Truman died December 26, 1972. Memorial at the National Cathedral, January 5, 1973. Carter dies December 29, 2024. Memorial at National Cathedral, January 9, 2025. Nixon purposely avoided attending, though in Washington. He had gone to Independence. Will Trump attend Carter memorial?
January 3, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Parallels. Truman died December 26, 1972. Memorial at the National Cathedral, January 5, 1973. Carter dies December 29, 2024. Memorial at National Cathedral, January 9, 2025. Nixon purposely avoided attending, though in Washington. He had gone to Independence. Will Trump attend Carter memorial?
As 1973 dawned, the domestic calm that prevailed was a thin veneer. The stock market was reaching new highs, but within a year, after another devastating Middle East war and an oil embargo, the economy would be in real trouble.
January 2, 2025 at 12:14 AM
As 1973 dawned, the domestic calm that prevailed was a thin veneer. The stock market was reaching new highs, but within a year, after another devastating Middle East war and an oil embargo, the economy would be in real trouble.
The Oval Office, January 1, 1973
Richard Nixon welcomed the New Year in quiet solitude. He arose early and made his way to the Oval Office, arriving shortly after 7:30 am, surprising the security guards who had to scramble to find keys to open the office for the president. Pat Nixon was in Pasadena
Richard Nixon welcomed the New Year in quiet solitude. He arose early and made his way to the Oval Office, arriving shortly after 7:30 am, surprising the security guards who had to scramble to find keys to open the office for the president. Pat Nixon was in Pasadena
January 1, 2025 at 10:33 PM
The Oval Office, January 1, 1973
Richard Nixon welcomed the New Year in quiet solitude. He arose early and made his way to the Oval Office, arriving shortly after 7:30 am, surprising the security guards who had to scramble to find keys to open the office for the president. Pat Nixon was in Pasadena
Richard Nixon welcomed the New Year in quiet solitude. He arose early and made his way to the Oval Office, arriving shortly after 7:30 am, surprising the security guards who had to scramble to find keys to open the office for the president. Pat Nixon was in Pasadena
Just in time for the upcoming inauguration. I wrote the Harding chapter
December 29, 2024 at 5:27 PM
Just in time for the upcoming inauguration. I wrote the Harding chapter
Inscribed photo from Jackie and Christmas cards from JFK and Jackie to Secret Service agent Paul Landis. Peace to all this Holiday Season
December 25, 2024 at 11:29 AM
Inscribed photo from Jackie and Christmas cards from JFK and Jackie to Secret Service agent Paul Landis. Peace to all this Holiday Season
More Robert Knudsen photos from JFK era.
December 18, 2024 at 11:40 AM
More Robert Knudsen photos from JFK era.
White House photographer Robert Knudsen with JFK Jr.
The man behind so many iconic Kennedy photos.
The man behind so many iconic Kennedy photos.
December 15, 2024 at 4:17 PM
White House photographer Robert Knudsen with JFK Jr.
The man behind so many iconic Kennedy photos.
The man behind so many iconic Kennedy photos.
Love this photo by White House photographer Robert Knudsen. JFK in Galway, June 29, 1963. Children from the Convent of Mercy. Dressed in the colors of the Irish flag. They sang Galway Bay at his request
December 13, 2024 at 12:31 PM
Love this photo by White House photographer Robert Knudsen. JFK in Galway, June 29, 1963. Children from the Convent of Mercy. Dressed in the colors of the Irish flag. They sang Galway Bay at his request
Sandhill cranes are the coolest
December 12, 2024 at 11:10 AM
Sandhill cranes are the coolest
Images from Bob Knudsen
December 8, 2024 at 5:20 PM
Images from Bob Knudsen
In this month’s Vanity Fair
December 8, 2024 at 11:02 AM
In this month’s Vanity Fair
Happy Thursday from Susie.
December 5, 2024 at 10:54 AM
Happy Thursday from Susie.
Jackie Kennedy directing the spoof assassination home movie I wrote about in Vanity Fair. She’s on the presidential yacht, the Honey Fitz, during the weekend of September 21-22, 1963.
December 3, 2024 at 8:35 PM
Jackie Kennedy directing the spoof assassination home movie I wrote about in Vanity Fair. She’s on the presidential yacht, the Honey Fitz, during the weekend of September 21-22, 1963.
My mom was a navy wave in wwii.
November 30, 2024 at 3:19 AM
My mom was a navy wave in wwii.
John Dean at CNN in NYC a few years ago.
November 29, 2024 at 4:53 PM
John Dean at CNN in NYC a few years ago.