tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28333420083831097982024-03-13T10:54:51.909-07:00Presidents of the United StatesThis is a site of information and resources on all the Presidents of the United States, from Barack Obama to George Washington.Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-43997220479046929182009-09-16T01:08:00.000-07:002009-09-16T01:09:42.433-07:00President Obama Addressing Congress About Health Care Reform<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SrCdJY-jGMI/AAAAAAAADp0/tToC6xyrhxg/s1600-h/obamacongress.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381974339356924098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SrCdJY-jGMI/AAAAAAAADp0/tToC6xyrhxg/s320/obamacongress.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-88300245300449841072009-04-30T22:22:00.000-07:002009-04-30T22:24:05.967-07:00President Obama Chats With Congressmen Aboard Air Force One<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SfqHbkj_UGI/AAAAAAAACUc/n1nCgOHs9Eo/s1600-h/obamaairforceone3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 202px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330722016687247458" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SfqHbkj_UGI/AAAAAAAACUc/n1nCgOHs9Eo/s320/obamaairforceone3.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-26300266609904033652009-04-30T22:20:00.001-07:002009-04-30T22:21:48.548-07:00President Obama Onboard Air Force One<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SfqGxw9IrrI/AAAAAAAACUU/1mlaRqNUZTg/s1600-h/obamaairforceone.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330721298459438770" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SfqGxw9IrrI/AAAAAAAACUU/1mlaRqNUZTg/s320/obamaairforceone.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-90673925512848350362009-04-30T22:19:00.001-07:002009-04-30T22:20:29.419-07:00President Obama Boards Air Force One<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SfqGiWFKbbI/AAAAAAAACUM/Ko4gxY5LeXg/s1600-h/obamaairforceone2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330721033547312562" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SfqGiWFKbbI/AAAAAAAACUM/Ko4gxY5LeXg/s320/obamaairforceone2.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-38980266841200914722009-01-24T20:03:00.000-08:002009-01-24T20:04:12.379-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SXvkjZ2LVlI/AAAAAAAABSw/fmXwyHLINMA/s1600-h/presidentobama.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295077083788826194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 177px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SXvkjZ2LVlI/AAAAAAAABSw/fmXwyHLINMA/s320/presidentobama.jpg" border="0" /></a>President Obama makes a phone call from the White House Oval Office immediately after his inauguration.<br /><div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-28377400749392999872009-01-22T14:23:00.000-08:002009-01-22T14:24:48.511-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SXjx_BLtbGI/AAAAAAAABO4/l1wNvJEqmN8/s1600-h/inauguration.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294247426925620322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SXjx_BLtbGI/AAAAAAAABO4/l1wNvJEqmN8/s320/inauguration.jpg" border="0" /></a> New President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.<br /><div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-57070319275624107332009-01-22T14:21:00.000-08:002009-01-22T14:23:14.273-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SXjxm0NPotI/AAAAAAAABOw/30cnNCTTB6M/s1600-h/inaugural.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294247011125535442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SXjxm0NPotI/AAAAAAAABOw/30cnNCTTB6M/s320/inaugural.jpg" border="0" /></a> President Barack Obama receives a thumbs up from his daughter after his inaugural speech.<br /><div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-30053579831005012782009-01-22T04:25:00.000-08:002009-01-22T04:30:50.514-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SXhmhZ7OMaI/AAAAAAAABOQ/0boD9IC18Bk/s1600-h/whitehouse2007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294094086055014818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 210px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SXhmhZ7OMaI/AAAAAAAABOQ/0boD9IC18Bk/s320/whitehouse2007.jpg" border="0" /></a> President Barack Obama was forced to re-take his oath of office as President on Wednesday night inside the White House after Chief Justice Roberts flubbed the administration of the oath of office to Obama at the inaugural ceremony.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SXhmZ7wu-SI/AAAAAAAABOI/7Dqi7__sHsU/s1600-h/obamawhitehouse.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-27490335217934406302009-01-21T04:43:00.000-08:002009-01-21T04:45:12.621-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SXcYgm9RDgI/AAAAAAAABM4/IlCSaPvT9pQ/s1600-h/obamadance.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293726835489705474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SXcYgm9RDgI/AAAAAAAABM4/IlCSaPvT9pQ/s320/obamadance.jpg" border="0" /></a>The Obama dance with Michelle Obama in her inaugural gown at one of the inaugural balls on the evening of January 20, 2009 - inauguration evening.<br /><div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-11940907960221094382009-01-20T21:19:00.000-08:002009-01-20T21:21:06.650-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SXawbeTDGnI/AAAAAAAABMY/veIrw1-2-zg/s1600-h/obamainaugurationspeech.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293612398056512114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SXawbeTDGnI/AAAAAAAABMY/veIrw1-2-zg/s320/obamainaugurationspeech.jpg" border="0" /></a> Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States in front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2009 before a crowd of over one million people.<br /><div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-74819034765295193902009-01-18T13:48:00.000-08:002009-01-21T08:31:47.395-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SXdNmUoLghI/AAAAAAAABNg/aZod3_MWHXI/s1600-h/obamainaugurationcapitol.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293785207764910610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SXdNmUoLghI/AAAAAAAABNg/aZod3_MWHXI/s320/obamainaugurationcapitol.jpg" border="0" /></a> The swearing-in ceremony of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States at the west front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. at noon on January 20, 2009 before a crowd of over a million people.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SXOkC_cHTzI/AAAAAAAABLI/0fPNJoOpnjA/s1600-h/100_9366.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-56908575659131601002009-01-18T13:42:00.000-08:002009-01-20T21:17:20.417-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SXOii-RoKOI/AAAAAAAABKo/TQX3XkgSLuY/s1600-h/100_9288.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292752708806650082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SXOii-RoKOI/AAAAAAAABKo/TQX3XkgSLuY/s320/100_9288.JPG" border="0" /></a> Obama Inaugural Concert at the Lincoln Memorial.<br /><div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-7778608814045898272009-01-18T12:56:00.000-08:002009-01-18T12:59:55.087-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SXOXrzUe_8I/AAAAAAAABKQ/XTSzXy0gQHY/s1600-h/obama.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292740765856759746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SXOXrzUe_8I/AAAAAAAABKQ/XTSzXy0gQHY/s320/obama.jpg" border="0" /></a> President Barack Obama's inaugural celebration is occuring now!!!<br /><div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-25952111583510629482009-01-07T20:15:00.000-08:002009-01-07T20:20:24.621-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SWV-FhAeK9I/AAAAAAAAA2M/om306CkoDYE/s1600-h/presidentswhitehouse2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288771970641308626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 194px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SWV-FhAeK9I/AAAAAAAAA2M/om306CkoDYE/s320/presidentswhitehouse2.jpg" border="0" /></a> In the past, when living U.S. Presidents have gathered, it has typically been because of a state funeral or the opening of a Presidential library. On Wednesday, January 7, 2009, however, all of the living American Presidents along with President-elect Obama gathered for a luncheon meeting at the White House. From left to right, these included George H.W. Bush, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter.<br /><div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-44487842883152401192009-01-07T20:11:00.000-08:002009-01-07T20:15:24.240-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SWV9D1IVAMI/AAAAAAAAA2E/Q44yaDmCTqo/s1600-h/presidentswhitehouse1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288770842171605186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SWV9D1IVAMI/AAAAAAAAA2E/Q44yaDmCTqo/s320/presidentswhitehouse1.jpg" border="0" /></a> A historic meeting of all the living Presidents and President-elect Obama occurred at the White House on Wednesday, January 7, 2008. From left to right, the meeting include President George H. W. Bush, President-elect Barack Obama, President George W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, and President Jimmy Carter.<br /><div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-26927276105742083382008-12-27T23:11:00.000-08:002008-12-28T02:37:06.725-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVcm2t4GY9I/AAAAAAAAAqo/wiLsDHZLdic/s1600-h/obamabush.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284735409212253138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVcm2t4GY9I/AAAAAAAAAqo/wiLsDHZLdic/s320/obamabush.bmp" border="0" /></a> <strong>BARACK OBAMA, 44TH PRESIDENT</strong> - On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama will be inaugurated as our nation's 44th President. He will be the first African-American and individual born in Hawaii to be elected President. With a beautiful and gracious wife, Michelle Obama, and two beautiful young daughters, he should bring the same youthfulness and sense of opportunity that John Kennedy brought to the White House. See you at the inauguration and look for future blog posts about his presidency!!!<br /><div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-88375764559064938732008-12-26T22:32:00.000-08:002008-12-28T01:04:26.748-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVXMHUX86RI/AAAAAAAAAqM/-sjPuhVgs0w/s1600-h/bushjr.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284354163889465618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVXMHUX86RI/AAAAAAAAAqM/-sjPuhVgs0w/s320/bushjr.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVXMHfNbM-I/AAAAAAAAAqE/QahXuyDWchM/s1600-h/bushjr2.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284354166798103522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 307px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVXMHfNbM-I/AAAAAAAAAqE/QahXuyDWchM/s320/bushjr2.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVXMHKYVw-I/AAAAAAAAAp8/DBYqY0rigC8/s1600-h/bushjr1.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284354161206739938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVXMHKYVw-I/AAAAAAAAAp8/DBYqY0rigC8/s320/bushjr1.bmp" border="0" /></a> <strong>GEORGE W. BUSH, 43RD PRESIDENT </strong>- George W. Bush was sworn in as our 43rd President on January 20, 2001 after a contested election against the Democratic candidate, Vice President Al Gore. Ultimately, the election was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court which stopped a recount of the votes in Florida. In his first year in office, Bush was confronted with the tragedy of the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 on the World Trade Center towers in New York and against the Pentagon in the Washington, D.C. area. In response to these terrorist attacks, President Bush declared a war on terror and ordered the invasion of Afghanistan and later of Iraq. With popular support as a war-time President and a conservative shift in the mood of the country, Bush was re-elected to a second term of office four years later. In his second term, however, Bush faced increasingly low rankings in the public opinion polls as support for the war in Iraq diminished and the economy worsened. At the end of his two terms as President, Bush had one of the lowest public opinion poll rankings of any President since such polls have been conducted as the financial and banking system in the country went into a melt-down as a result of a collapse of the housing market, and as mortgage-backed securities increasingly became illiquid. President Bush was the second President to be elected that was the son of a previous President, with his father George H.W. Bush having been the 41st President of the United States. The only other President that was the son of a previous President was John Quincy Adams. As an outgoing President, Bush made a commitment to make the transition of his successor, Barack Obama, the easiest of any President-Elect.<br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-34041838223042748222008-12-26T22:02:00.000-08:002008-12-28T01:23:25.807-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVXFQLE3TRI/AAAAAAAAAp0/vkZzMawDdKA/s1600-h/clinton3.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284346619430915346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 227px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVXFQLE3TRI/AAAAAAAAAp0/vkZzMawDdKA/s320/clinton3.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVXFQGev_cI/AAAAAAAAAps/Q5OfR_CZbto/s1600-h/clinton2.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284346618197310914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVXFQGev_cI/AAAAAAAAAps/Q5OfR_CZbto/s320/clinton2.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVXFPlAzUxI/AAAAAAAAApk/ggYfU4arGE0/s1600-h/clinton1.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284346609213330194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVXFPlAzUxI/AAAAAAAAApk/ggYfU4arGE0/s320/clinton1.bmp" border="0" /></a> <strong>WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON, 42ND PRESIDENT</strong> - On January 20, 1993, Bill Clinton was inaugurated as our nation's 42nd President. Four years later, he was re-elected to a second term. He was the second President, along with Andrew Johnson, to be impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives. Like Andrew Johnson, however, the motivations for impeachment were primarily political and thus Clinton was not convicted and removed from office by the Senate. At the end of his presidency, Clinton continued to enjoy strong public support. As President, Clinton presided over the greatest peace time economic prosperity in the history of the country. After his presidency, Clinton has gone on to become one of, if not, the most influential world spokesman raising funds and working for world humanitarian causes. Meanwhile, his wife and former First Lady Hillary Clinton was elected as a U.S. Senator from New York, the only former First Lady to run for political office. In 2008, she ran for the Democratic nomination for President, but lost the nomination to Barack Obama. She and former President Clinton then compaigned for Obama in the general election. After Obama's election as President, he announced that he would appoint former First Lady Hillary Clinton to the position of Secretary of State.<br /><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div></div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-9459042671214243832008-12-26T21:49:00.000-08:002008-12-28T01:23:50.491-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVXCH45ljLI/AAAAAAAAApc/4_SDTJIlYV0/s1600-h/ghwbush3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284343178577939634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 216px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVXCH45ljLI/AAAAAAAAApc/4_SDTJIlYV0/s320/ghwbush3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVXCH-lhIgI/AAAAAAAAApU/AGMucSeiPDc/s1600-h/ghwbush2.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284343180104376834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 211px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVXCH-lhIgI/AAAAAAAAApU/AGMucSeiPDc/s320/ghwbush2.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVXCHnmRbnI/AAAAAAAAApM/Qjv2tEPr_0c/s1600-h/ghwbush1.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284343173933526642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVXCHnmRbnI/AAAAAAAAApM/Qjv2tEPr_0c/s320/ghwbush1.bmp" border="0" /></a> <strong>GEORGE HERBERT WALKER BUSH, 41ST PRESIDENT</strong> - George H.W. Bush was sworn in as our nation's 41st President on January 20, 1989. Previously, he had served as Vice President under President Reagan. Before that he had served as a Congressman, as the U.S. representative to China, and as Director of te Central Intellgence Agency. As such, he was one of the most experienced individuals in foreign policy to ever be elected President. This experience was demonstrated when, after Iraq invaded Kuwait, President George H. W. Bush was able to organize a large coalition of countries to join the United States in forcing the military forces of Iraq out of Kuwait. Bush could have continued the Gulf War and directed U.S. forces to continue to Baghdad so as to oust Saddam Hussein, but chose not to do so since such a move would have both created a power vacuum in Iraq and would have cost U.S. support from its other Arab allies, such as Saudi Arabia. After the Gulf War, Bush's popularity was one of the highest of any President, but it increasingly fell afterwards as the economy worsened and the public did not feel that Bush was in touch with the economic problems of the country. As such, President Bush was defeated in his re-election attempt by his Democratic challenger, Bill Clinton. Ironically, Bush's son, George W. Bush was elected President after the two terms of Bill Clinton. During his son's presidency, the senior George W. Bush worked with former President Clinton to address a number of humanitarian relief efforts.<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-86033638004442654392008-12-26T14:38:00.000-08:002008-12-28T01:28:16.416-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVVfVchFfDI/AAAAAAAAApE/ECitWW9aw2c/s1600-h/reagan00.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284234559826000946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVVfVchFfDI/AAAAAAAAApE/ECitWW9aw2c/s320/reagan00.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVVfVLtXtrI/AAAAAAAAAo8/Em4WWlqb4XY/s1600-h/reagan02.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284234555314124466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 211px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVVfVLtXtrI/AAAAAAAAAo8/Em4WWlqb4XY/s320/reagan02.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVVfU_MPZGI/AAAAAAAAAo0/h3FOhrR91lE/s1600-h/reagan01.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284234551953941602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 210px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVVfU_MPZGI/AAAAAAAAAo0/h3FOhrR91lE/s320/reagan01.bmp" border="0" /></a> <strong>RONALD REAGAN, 41ST PRESIDENT</strong> - Ronald Reagan was sworn in as our nation's 41st President on January 20, 1981. Minutes later, Iran announced that they had released the American hostages that they had held ever since President Carter had allowed the former Shah of Iran into the United States in order to receive medical treatment for his cancer. Reagan's swearing-in was the first time that a Presidential inauguration was held on the West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol. Known as the "Great Communicator", Reagan along with John Kennedy often tops public opinion polls as the best U.S. President. This is compared to polls of historians that typically list George Washington or Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin Roosevelt as the top three presidents. Reagan assumed the office of President at a time of low public morale because of high inflation, frustration over the Iran hostage situation, and the recent Arab oil embargo which had caused gas rationing in America. Reagan was elected based upon his promise of renewed optimism in America along with a shift towards conservative values and restraining the spending of government. Ironically, while Reagan's foreign policies helped bring about the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union, his military spending on the Star Wars and other programs caused government spending and the federal deficit to skyrocket. Reagan is the only movie star to be elected President. He survived an assassination attempt shortly after his election to his first term in office that almost cost him his life, but went on to serve to two terms as President. After he publicly took responsibility for the trading of arms for hostages in his second term in office, or what is known as the Iran-Contra scandal, the publicly forgave him. As a result, the media often referred to Reagan as having a "teflon factor" where the public so liked him that he could overcome criticisms that other President would have difficulty in dealing with. Part of this ability can be attributed to the way that Reagan seemed able to talk directly to the public in moments of shared celebration, such as the bicentennial of the Statue of Liberty, or in moments of tragedy, such as the Challenger space shuttle disaster.<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-14023088857309520632008-12-26T14:29:00.000-08:002008-12-28T01:28:49.870-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVVa4xfp6MI/AAAAAAAAAos/pKgkdq3UfVY/s1600-h/carter1.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284229669194426562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 254px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVVa4xfp6MI/AAAAAAAAAos/pKgkdq3UfVY/s320/carter1.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVVa4tLo2OI/AAAAAAAAAok/2FZBZgSbzM8/s1600-h/carter2.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284229668036729058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 208px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVVa4tLo2OI/AAAAAAAAAok/2FZBZgSbzM8/s320/carter2.bmp" border="0" /></a> <strong>JAMES EARL CARTER, 40TH PRESIDENT </strong>- After the Nixon/Watergate scandal, Carter was elected as a Washington outsider who promised to always tell the American public the truth. He was sworn in as President on January 20, 1977. Two Bibles were on the lectern at the swearing in - one, a family heirloom, and the other, the Bible used at the swearing in of George Washington as our nation's first President. After the swearing in, Carter and his wife were the first President and First Lady to walk from the U.S. Capitol to the White House. His inauguration was also the first time that the departing President, Gerald Ford, departed by helicopter from the Capitol. His inauguration was also the first time that special provisions were made to accommodate the handicapped in order to be able to view the inauguration parade. Carter was one of the most brilliant individuals to be elected to the office of President. Unfortunately, he had difficulties with Congress given both that he lacked national experience and the fact that even within in his own Democratic party he faced significant opposition from a faction led by Senator Edward Kennedy. He also had the unfortunate luck of being President when OPEC was created and the Arab oil-producing nations decided to impose an embargo so as to drive up the prices of oil. He also had the unforuntely luck of being President after the Shah of Iran had been driven out and Iran had taken American hostages for allowing the former Shah to receive medical treatment in the U.S. Despite these setbacks, two of the most important accomplishments of his administration was the negotiation of the Middle-East Peace Agreement between Egypt and Israel and the investment in smart weapons and other advanced technologies for the military that were later to be invaluable to help bring about the collapse of the Soviet Union and in the winning of the Gulf War. After his presidency, Carter went on to become involved in world peace and humanitarian efforts. He also became a successful writer of multiple books and received the Nobel Peace Prize. Looking back, one of the most farsighted initiatives taken during his presidency was his support of conservation and alternative energy initiatives. Unforunately, most of these initiatives were abandoned by President Reagan when he took office as the nation returned to a mentality of cheap oil.<br /><br /><div></div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-9893877176316932552008-12-26T14:11:00.001-08:002008-12-28T01:29:29.726-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVVWuD4JVCI/AAAAAAAAAoc/us_CYTriQ28/s1600-h/geraldford.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284225087103915042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVVWuD4JVCI/AAAAAAAAAoc/us_CYTriQ28/s320/geraldford.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVVWl-eda8I/AAAAAAAAAoU/oj2vihMUww4/s1600-h/geraldford2.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284224948215049154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 205px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVVWl-eda8I/AAAAAAAAAoU/oj2vihMUww4/s320/geraldford2.bmp" border="0" /></a> <strong>GERALD FORD, 39TH PRESIDENT</strong> - Gerald was sworn in as President on August 9, 1974 in a ceremony at the White House after the resignation of Richard Nixon. He had previously been appointed Vice President after the resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew. As such, Ford was the only person to assume the office of President who had not been elected to that post or to the position of Vice President. He also was the first Vice President to assume the office of President under the provisions of the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which specifies that upon the resignation of a President, the Vice President shall become President. One of Ford's first actions as President was to pardon former President Richard Nixon. He did this to end what he described as our long national nightmare dealing with the Watergate scandal and to allow him, s President, to focus on matters other than Watergate. Today, most people understand that Ford was acting in the national interests, but at the time there was concern about a potential behind the scenes pre-arranged deal for him to pardon Nixon in return for his becoming President. As such, this one action probably cost Ford the election when he later ran against Jimmy Carter for a second term as President. Ford was also responsible for ordering the withdrawal of all American troops from Vietnam, thus ending our involvement in the Vietnam War. Even though never elected to the office, Ford stands out as one of our most honorable, decent and respected Presidents.<br /><br /><div></div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-1935301612113260372008-12-26T14:02:00.000-08:002008-12-28T01:37:32.403-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVXoqjBoixI/AAAAAAAAAqU/HKYRx7_wTic/s1600-h/nixonchina.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284385555443387154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVXoqjBoixI/AAAAAAAAAqU/HKYRx7_wTic/s320/nixonchina.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVVUkUxU1pI/AAAAAAAAAoM/VvKgCqP4CQU/s1600-h/richardnixon.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284222720816764562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 296px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVVUkUxU1pI/AAAAAAAAAoM/VvKgCqP4CQU/s320/richardnixon.bmp" border="0" /></a> <strong>RICHARD NIXON, 38TH PRESIDENT</strong> - Richard Nixon had previously served as Vice President under President Eisenhower. Afterwards, he ran for President but was defeated by John F. Kennedy. He finally was elected and sworn in as the nation's 38th President on January 20, 1969. His inauguration was unusual in that only individuals with special invitations were admitted to the Capitol grounds for the inauguration ceremony. Also, two Bibles were utilized, both family heirlooms. As President, Nixon's two biggest achievements were his trip to China to open up relations with China and his Executive Order creating the United States Environmental Protection Agency. He was less successful in his campaign promise to get us out of the Vietnam War, with some people believing that he purposely delayed the withdrawal of our troops so as to hence his status as a war-time President and thus chances of being re-elected. After being elected to a second term, however, he became embroiled in the Watergate scandal and, because of the threat of his impeachment and prosecution by the Watergate Special Prosecutor, he was forced to resign, becoming the only President to resign from office. While he was pardoned by his succesor, President Gerald Ford, a number of his top White House staff were convicted and went to jail for actions related to the Watergate scandal.<br /><br /><div></div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-18558911952551451282008-12-26T13:51:00.000-08:002008-12-28T01:38:10.313-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVVSCwzF8sI/AAAAAAAAAoE/5MYUNwpJxqU/s1600-h/lyndonjohnson.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284219945201562306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVVSCwzF8sI/AAAAAAAAAoE/5MYUNwpJxqU/s320/lyndonjohnson.bmp" border="0" /></a> <strong>LYNDON JOHNSON, 36TH PRESIDENT</strong> - Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as President aboard Air Force One after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. This was the first time that the oath of office was administer by a woman, Sarah T. Hughes, U.S. District Court Judge for the Northern District of Texas. Upon becoming President, Johnson pushed through the Civil Rights Act and other initiatives previously undertaken by President Kennedy. Johnson used his overwhelming victory in his re-election to a second term as President to gather support for his "Great Society" social programs. He was frustrated, however, when despite his efforts for civil rights, the nation's cities erupted into inner city riots, looting and burning. Also, the college campuses erupted into anti-war protests as Johnson escalated the war in Vietnam with the bombing of North Vietnam and the commitment of increasing numbers of troops. In retrospect, one can argue that Johnson should be considered to be one of our greatest presidents because of his success in pushing through historic civil rights and social programs. When Johnson stepped down as President, however, he did so as a very frustrated and disappointed individual because of both the civil unrest throughout the country and the failure of his policies with respect to the escalation of the war in Vietnam.<br /><div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833342008383109798.post-64795659360395619362008-12-26T11:12:00.000-08:002008-12-28T02:28:42.332-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVUsrNE2czI/AAAAAAAAAn8/Gx6OyF5Z-wk/s1600-h/johnfkennedy.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284178858545148722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kRB0I0a_WFw/SVUsrNE2czI/AAAAAAAAAn8/Gx6OyF5Z-wk/s320/johnfkennedy.bmp" border="0" /></a> <strong>JOHN F. KENNEDY, 35TH PRESIDENT</strong> - Sworn in as the 35th President on January 20, 1961, Kennedy was the first Catholic-American to be elected President. His was the first inauguration to be broadcast on color television. His was also the first inauguration to have a poet read a poem, and was the coldest of all inaugurations, with army flame throwers having to be used to clear the route of the inaugural parade. Along with his wife, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, he brought a youthfulness, optimism and sophistication to the presidency and the White House. He inherited plans for the invasion of Cuba which resulted in the failed Bay of Pigs incident. Accepting full responsibility for the failure, the public excused the incident. During the subsequent Cuban Missle crisis, President Kennedy is credited with showing more restraint and judgment than his aides who recommended a military attack on Cuba, and thus averting a nuclear war. Only after the collapse of the Soviet Union have documents come to light revealing how close we were to experiencing a nuclear war. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment, however, were his proposed social reforms, including the introduction of the Civil Rights Act. Unfortunately, he was assassinated in Dallas by Lee Harvey Oswald before his legislative agenda could be enacted, with the Civil Rights Act and bills passed only later after his death. Despite the short term of his presidency due to him being assassinated, in public opinion polls he is often ranked as our greatest President. One of his best known accomplishments was the creation of the Peace Corps. In the 2008 presidential election, his daughter, Caroline Kennedy, was one of the leading supporters of the presidency of Barack Obama. If you are visiting Washington, D.C., be sure the visit the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts which is named in his honor, and which is the jewel of cultural activities for the nation's capitol.<br /><div></div>Rick Hopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01852643422207733194noreply@blogger.com