You may believe that I’m crazy as you read this, but bear with me. I believe that President Obama has run his administration based on many Republican principles. I’m not referring to those who are ‘Republicans’ in name only today, I’m talking about past great Republican presidents who represented the majority of our nation’s people.

He shared common ideas and philosophies with Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and George H.W. Bush. He has been compared to Franklin D. Roosevelt by many progressives, and that may be fair; but FDR also believed in many of the policies of his Republican predecessors.

Abraham Lincoln will be first and foremost remembered for the ‘Emancipation Proclamation,’ which established the freedom and equality of all of our nation’s people. But he also negotiated with his Republican Party and increased its strength and power in Washington. At the same time, he worked with Democrats to unite the nation. His primary concern was the security of the union, and a government which represented all of the American people.

President Obama continues to stress the rights and freedoms of all Americans. He has supported the investigation of our nation’s law enforcement for abuse directed towards black Americans. He has defended religious freedom, while his opposition would repeal the first amendment. The President has attempted to work along party lines, but the ‘Party of No’ has refused to compromise. (Thank you TEA Party).

Teddy Roosevelt has been hailed for multiple achievements. His ability to accomplish historical achievements are credited to qualities and talents which allowed him to procreate change. He was a great statesman or diplomat, a naturalist, and a reformer.

He called himself a “steward of the people.” He took whatever action was necessary for the good of the people unless it violated the Constitution. ” I did not usurp power,” he wrote, “but I did greatly broaden the use of executive power.” Teddy broke up corporate trusts; he is credited with using his diplomatic skills to end the Russo-Japanese war; he was labeled the first environmentalist president.

In 1906 he signed the National Monuments Act which protected dozens of America’s historical sites such as the Grand Canyon. He preserved thousands of wildlife sanctuaries, national forests, and federal game reserves. He was also responsible for progress with our nation’s infrastructure as he fought for 21 federal irrigation projects.

President Obama has fought for the rights of the majority; he used executive powers to promote the freedom of individuals which Congress failed to protect; he has fought the special interests who deny the rights of all of our citizens to receive fair wages and healthcare. The President has sought action to save the environment. In order to stimulate the economy, Mr. Obama lobbied for the repair of our infrastructure.

Both presidents received the ‘Nobel Peace Prize.’

Dwight D. Eisenhower was sworn in as or 34^th president on January 20, 1953. His first achievement was aimed at lessening the tensions of the Cold War. After the passing of Stalin, he negotiated an agreement with the new Soviet leadership to curtail the spread of nuclear and hydrogen weapons.

Domestically Eisenhower protected federal orders and protected the rights of all children across the nation to receive an education. He desegregated the army, saying that: “There must be no second class citizens in this country.” He is credited for the construction of the Interstate Highway System.

Throughout his presidency he continued to represent the American people and secure their safety by never ending negotiations to protect our nation from entering into another war. He often spoke of the fact that the military industrial complex was too large and an unnecessary waste of our nation’s resources.

President Obama also believed in negotiation. He is responsible to for a nuclear arms agreement with Iran. This agreement has been supported by past Republican negotiators who worked for Ronald Reagan during similar agreements with the Soviet Union. Mr. Obama sought the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” provision in our military standards. Once again, he believed in the repair and reconstruction of our infrastructure.

George H.W. Bush has no comparison to his son’s failed presidency. His concerns were the concerns of the American people. In direct opposition of GOP candidates today, he sought to make the White House “a kinder and gentler nation.” In his Inaugural Address he pledged in “a moment rich with promise” to use American strength as “a force for good.”

Although the senior Bush will be remembered for his removal of Manuel Noriega in Panama, and the defeat of Saddam Hussein’s forces in Kuwait, his true successes were on the domestic front. He worked across party lines to ensure the passage of the ‘Americans with Disabilities Act, and Clean Air Act Amendments. He also supported after school programs for working parents. His reelection attempt was stymied by a statement made during his first campaign, when he said: “Read my lips, no new taxes.” Unfortunately, the policies of his predecessor, Ronald Reagan, forced him to raise taxes to reduce the federal deficit.

The comparisons here between President Obama and President Bush are obvious. Both men’s primary concerns were the betterment of the people of the United States, and believed in bipartisan effort.

Can any of these four Republican presidents be compared to the presidential hopefuls today? Absolutely not. Today’s extremists spew rhetoric of hatred and fear without offering viable solutions to our nation’s problems.

They are led by Donald Trump who believes that yelling and grandiose statements, which cannot be substantiated, are the only ways to receive votes from the American people.

All Republican presidents prior to George W. Bush would be embarrassed at the actions and non-action of the present group of GOP members who call themselves Republicans. Their concerns are related to their personal gain and not about the majority.

President Obama is very similar to the accomplished Republican presidents of our past; far more so than those who ride in the clown car.

Op-ed

By James Turnage

Source: National Archives

Photo Courtesy of Jenny Bowen

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