Prompted by the death of President Gerald Ford, Andy Rooney, in his commentary at the end of Sunday's 60 Minutes, ruminated about all the Presidents since FDR and made clear he sees more to admire in Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton than in Ronald Reagan. Rooney praised Ford: “We were lucky to have such a good, normal American to step in to do the job.” On Carter, Rooney characterized him as “smart” and contended “it was hard to dislike Jimmy Carter, even if you were a Republican.” Rooney obviously wasn't a Republican in the late 1970s. “Ronald Reagan was the only movie star ever elected President,” Rooney noted before snidely remarking: “A lot of people thought he was better in the movies than in the White House.” Bill Clinton, however, “might have gone down in history as one of the best Presidents we ever had if it hadn't been for that one unfortunate incident that I don't want to talk about in case there are children watching.”
CBSNews.com has posted a transcript of Rooney's commentary. I corrected it in a few places against the words he delivered on the January 7 60 Minutes:
“Being President of the United States may be the worst job there is. It's certainly the hardest. You have the whole world on your back and no matter what you do, a lot of people hate you for it. Our 38th President, Gerald Ford, was an exception. Almost no one hated Gerald Ford.“When I was very young, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was President. He's considered one of our greatest, but he was also one of the most disliked by a lot of people. My father was a businessman and all his business friends hated FDR. Harry Truman was never considered a great President but, like Gerald Ford, not many people disliked him. Dwight Eisenhower was a war hero and a popular President, too. It wasn’t so much what Ike did that made him popular. It was what he didn’t do. He played a lot of golf as President.
“John F. Kennedy was one of the most likeable Presidents we ever had, although not everyone liked him. The day he was assassinated was one of the worst days in this country's history. Lyndon Johnson inherited the job when Kennedy was murdered. He was one of the most professional politicians we ever had in the White House, although not the most popular, probably because of the war in Vietnam.
“I forget how Richard Nixon got elected. It makes you wonder about our democratic system of government. I mean, how could we have done that? Gerald Ford fell into the White House and became our 38th President when Nixon was pushed out of it. We were lucky to have such a good, normal American to step in to do the job.
“Jimmy Carter was the political opposite of Nixon. He was smart and it was hard to dislike Jimmy Carter, even if you were a Republican. Ronald Reagan was the only movie star ever elected President [picture of Reagan holding guns in a Western]. A lot of people thought he was better in the movies than in the White House. George Bush was an acceptable but undistinguished President who's better known now as George W. Bush's father.
“Bill Clinton might have gone down in history as one of the best Presidents we ever had if it hadn't been for that one unfortunate incident [picture of Clinton with Lewinsky] that I don’t want to talk about in case there are children watching.
“George W. Bush is the second son of a President to be elected President himself. John Adams was our second President and his son, John Quincy Adams, was our sixth. You wonder what the fathers thought about the job their kids was doing as President. My son's a good television reporter [ABC's Brian Rooney] but I wouldn't want him as my President.”
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Andy Rooney: to quote Buzz
January 7, 2007 - 22:45 ET by lnthompAndy Rooney: to quote Buzz Lightyear, "You are a sad, strange little man."
LNTHOMP previously posting as LEENT. U.S. Navy (ret.)
I have enough money to last me the rest of my life. Unless I buy something.
Rooney vs. General Patton
January 7, 2007 - 22:49 ET by UnsaneRooney hates General Patton. How can I trust him to be a good judge of character?
"HAV3 TH3 BRIDG3S OF INSANITY B33N CROSS3D AND FOR3V3R R3TRACT3D???." - Meshuggah, "3ntrapm3nt", from Catch Thirty Thr33 (2005)
Bill Clinton, however, “mig
January 7, 2007 - 22:49 ET by Conservative in the ArtsBill Clinton, however, “might have gone down in history as one of the best Presidents we ever had if...........
If the media has any say about it. We'll just talk on and on and on. Our plan is to fill so many history books about what we say on TV and in Newspapers that no one will ever find a record or recording or article that speaks ill of him. Our plan is to drown out the real facts so that history will only record what we want it to record.
Rooney's assessments of Carte
January 7, 2007 - 23:02 ET by GalvanicRooney's assessments of Carter, Reagan, and Clinton are enough evidence of his political idiocy. Rooney is just a silly old man.
As for Clinton's legacy, I ask his champions to name two signficant things he accomplished in his 8 years in office, and I've yet to get a complete answer. His admirers tend to cite things he promised in campaigns, or things like "balancing the budget," which of course he refused to do until Morris persuaded him to sign the THIRD BALANCED BUDGET BILL sent to him by the Congress.
To be fair, Clinton did "
January 8, 2007 - 00:00 ET by Del DolemonteTo be fair, Clinton did "preside" over welfare reform, but only after having his head stuck in a vise like in one of those old 3 Stooges movies.
He also "apologized" for the US's inexcusable actions in taking over a sovereign territory (Hawaii) in the late 1800's. However, that must be tempered by the ulterior motives involved with his mea culpa, which make the apology a laugh.
Clinton did do some good things, but mostly by accident
January 8, 2007 - 00:10 ET by Free StinkerClinton did do some good things, but mostly by accident, or on occasion - as you have pointed out - when he had no other choice.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"One thing that seperates liberals from conservatives is that liberals are craftier and work without the hinderance of a conscience." --Lynn Wooley
Welfare Reform
January 8, 2007 - 00:21 ET by UnsaneHe did sign the Welfare Reform legislation...after vetoing it twice.
Then he promised the Left that he would "fix it".
"HAV3 TH3 BRIDG3S OF INSANITY B33N CROSS3D AND FOR3V3R R3TRACT3D???." - Meshuggah, "3ntrapm3nt", from Catch Thirty Thr33 (2005)
Any legislative "accompl
January 8, 2007 - 02:24 ET by mattmAny legislative "accomplishments" Clinton presided over have to be credited to Congress. The first Congress under Clinton (Democrat controlled) raised taxes and tried to socialize the health care industry. After 1995, Clinton was limited in the damage he could cause. But he still managed to eviscerate the military, dismantle the intelligence services (paving the way for 911), drop the ball in Somalia (paving the way for 911), cook the economic books (paving the way for Enron and the 2000 stock-market crash) etc. Monica, Juanita, Paula, Kathleen, Gennifer etc. were the least significant parts of Clinton's disastrous presidency.
Take that, Randy Looney!
Sodomy Andy???
January 8, 2007 - 10:27 ET by BBallleaperAR is living proof that mental defectives are allowed on TV. Hey Andy, did you mean the ONE incident where Lewinsky FELLATED the "Bent One"; or were you referring to the RAPE of Juanita Broderick in a Little Rock hotel room by "I'd Put Some Ice On That!"; or the molestation of the Virginia widow in the pantry; or were you possibly referring to the de-FLOWERING of Jennifer; or perhaps you meant one of the multiple crimes he committed against the US.
Rooney: "My son's a good
January 7, 2007 - 22:56 ET by GalvanicRooney: "My son's a good television reporter [ABC's Brian Rooney] but I wouldn't want him as my President.”
What a coincidence. I wouldn't want Andy Rooney as my father.
good one!! hahaha.GO AWAY, AN
January 7, 2007 - 23:01 ET by kathleenirishgood one!! hahaha.
GO AWAY, ANDY. It was old two decades ago.
"He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere" -Ali ibn-Abi-Talib, 4th Islamic Caliph
(Arte Johnson accent) Verry I
January 7, 2007 - 23:46 ET by Del Dolemonte(Arte Johnson accent) Verry Interestinng!
I wonder why Andy Rooney didn't mention one of his other kids, his daughter Emily, who toiled for many years with Peter Jennings on ABC's World News Tonight, followed by a stint at Fox News. For the past few years, she's been the host of one of the most unbearably boring programs I have ever had the displeasure of watching, on the Boston PBS station (WGBH), called "Greater Boston". For an entirely too-long period each weeknight, she and a bunch of assorted Boston Brahmin Charles Emerson Winchester types discuss "news" and "the press". Yawn.
She does to her credit have a segment each week called "Beat the Press", but even sitting thru that is as exciting as watching mold grow on cheese.
Hey, did you see the one with
January 8, 2007 - 10:07 ET by kathleenirishHey, did you see the one with Dan Kennedy of the impossibly ultra-left (and now free paper and they still can't get anyone to read it) Boston Phoenix? He was nearly crying about how badly treated the media is, when after all, they are bravely risking their lives to report the 'truth' in Iraq, and how awful it is that there are those who are 'blaming the media coverage for the situation there'. I mean, he was then making the connection between a German reporter's death and, I guess, us? The show is great because it truly reveals the thinking of the ultra-left media types and their contempt for people who might take issue with the crap they put out. In a word, they are breath-takingly elite. The show doesn't do them any favors. Of course, in the real world outside of PBS, that show wouldn't even last one episode. Tax-payer funded blow-hards.
"He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere" -Ali ibn-Abi-Talib, 4th Islamic Caliph
dude - you're killing me...
January 8, 2007 - 06:04 ET by PeskyDanedude - you're killing me...
” Bill Clinton, however,
January 7, 2007 - 22:58 ET by james789” Bill Clinton, however, “might have gone down in history as one of the
best Presidents we ever had if it hadn't been for that one unfortunate
incident that I don't want to talk about in case there are children
watching.”
Ah, I wonder which incident he is talking about as the list is long and unfortunate. Although I do give him credit for two things he did while in office that help the average person.
1, The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and
2, The Fair Credit Reporting Act
The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price,
peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of
soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life.
Theodore Roosevelt
what incident is that, you Cl
January 7, 2007 - 23:06 ET by kathleenirishwhat incident is that, you Clinton suck-up? The one where he could have killed Osama bin Laden and choked? or the one where he was more interested in his game of golf instead of getting that piece of garbage?
Andy, you ignorant slut.
"He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere" -Ali ibn-Abi-Talib, 4th Islamic Caliph
Kathleen im telling you tonig
January 7, 2007 - 23:11 ET by tkeefeKathleen im telling you tonight is a night to relax don't let the andy's of the world ruffle your feathers. The stinkin EAGLES beat the Giants YESSSSS!!!! All good irish ladys deserve a day off.
I'm happy for you, and boy, y
January 7, 2007 - 23:16 ET by kathleenirishI'm happy for you, and boy, you sound happy alright!+
"He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere" -Ali ibn-Abi-Talib, 4th Islamic Caliph
I really am and thank you enj
January 7, 2007 - 23:18 ET by tkeefeI really am and thank you enjoy the night. once in a while we have to say what the heck!!!! :-))
As I said in earlier post jus
January 7, 2007 - 23:05 ET by tkeefeAs I said in earlier post just enjoy the night. We know what these fools say and think. This is a day to enjoy becouse the EAGLES HAVE DEFEATED THE GIANTS THIS EVENING YESSSSS!!!! ALL YOU GOOD PEOPLE HAVE A GOOD NIGHT I KNOW IM GOING TO ENJOY.
For a team that was supposed
January 7, 2007 - 23:55 ET by Del DolemonteFor a team that was supposed to "demolish" the Giants today, it took your guys an entire 60 minutes and 0 seconds to win-at home! If it hadn't been raining, you may very well have lost.
You'll definitely have a tougher game next week in New Orleans. Remember them? They beat the Eagles (with McNabb at the helm) earlier in the season. And that was when the Saints weren't that good...
A Warm Brees in New Orlean!
January 8, 2007 - 10:34 ET by BBallleaperHave to agree. I have to find fault with Reid's logic at the end of the game. This 350 lb load just got done watch Romo mishandle a perfect snap indoors and then, instead of attempting the FG on 3rd down on a wet, muddy field in the rain, he runs the clock down to 3 seconds on 4th down. Lucky for his gigando butt Detmer handled the snap properly and the kick was good! Had they botched it and Giants went on to win in OT, I'd have to believe Andy would have been found floating face down in the Delaware!
Man, want some cheese with th
January 8, 2007 - 10:50 ET by Roger the ShrubberMan, want some cheese with that whine?
Your Giants lost to Jeff Garcia. I got one word for your Giants: overrated.
The only thing more delicious for me this past weekend was watching Dallas lose in such a heart-wrenching fashion.
Well at least your team is in
January 8, 2007 - 08:43 ET by USA4freedomWell at least your team is in the playoffs, as a Washington Redskins fan its been a hard year. Last year one game from the Super Bowl this year 5-11?? Ugh…
America is best described by one word, freedom... Dwight D. Eisenhower
Andy Looney is at it again
January 7, 2007 - 23:25 ET by TheOperativeHard to dislike Carter? He almost destroyed this country when he was president and is aiming towards that goal again. Carter never misses an opportunity to take a picture with a dictator or to validate the election results of the same.
Dislike him? I freaking hate him.
RepublicanOperative.com
I'm still trying to figure ou
January 7, 2007 - 23:28 ET by SvenI'm still trying to figure out what CBS pays this bitter, little man for?
Reasons to Hate Failed Ex-President Carter
January 7, 2007 - 23:58 ET by Free StinkerReasons to Hate Failed Ex-President Carter
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"One thing that seperates liberals from conservatives is that liberals are craftier and work without the hinderance of a conscience." --Lynn Wooley
Need to see why Carter sucked? Hit a bookstore!
January 8, 2007 - 00:06 ET by UnsaneAll one needs to do to dislike Carter is hit a bookstore:
1) Look at the title of his latest book;
2) Buy a copy of Guests of the Ayatollah and read it.
Although I am liking your list all the same. :-)
"HAV3 TH3 BRIDG3S OF INSANITY B33N CROSS3D AND FOR3V3R R3TRACT3D???." - Meshuggah, "3ntrapm3nt", from Catch Thirty Thr33 (2005)
"Cut funding for our mil
January 8, 2007 - 00:07 ET by Eric Turner"Cut funding for our military "
I wasn't in the military when Carter was in office (Thank God - I came in in 1985) but I knew many folks who were and they have published orders (awards, PCS, etc) that were printed on the back of maps. This was done because Carter had cut funding so much that units were being forced to take old maps and cut them up for copy and typing paper!
Additionally, I had a boss who had worked at the White House during Carter's tenure in office and he would speak of how Carter didn't like to see uniforms in the building unless necessary (i.e., guards I suppose). So he was in civilian clothes most of the time. Now I don't know how true this is, but he did work there during that time (he also worked - I actually believe he was her aide - with LTG Claudia Kennedy. Boy did he have some stories about that liberal loved lady).
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"Perpetual itching without benefit of scratching to the enemies of America." - July 4th toast during the Revolution
I see no reason whatever to h
January 8, 2007 - 00:31 ET by NL207I see no reason whatever to hate this man.
I see many reasons to reject both his failed policies and failed leadership.
Nice man. Pathetic incompetent as a world leader and statesman.
AgreeThank God for free speec
January 8, 2007 - 06:20 ET by 4arrowAgree
Thank God we have, at last, the freedom to speak!
God Bless the American ideal.
I used to make time in my busy weekend to listen to Andy Rooney. Loved him, disagreed with him, loved him.
Still, he is the brave man!
NL207, Carter's not even a nice man
January 8, 2007 - 15:44 ET by tumbler_2007He isn't a nice man. He attacks his own country in trips abroad. He was unbelievably false and defamatory against Bush during the Kerry campaign. Liars aren't nice.
He and Yasser Arafat were sweethearts. Call that nice?
Contrary to what Rooney says,
January 8, 2007 - 06:54 ET by Andrew H.Contrary to what Rooney says, I've disliked carter for thirty years--he made it very easy. He's compounding my disdain every time he spews these days.
Liberalism is a convenient lie.
Andy Looney ... just another
January 8, 2007 - 02:25 ET by gideonmjamesAndy Looney ... just another finger-wagging liberal.
Darn 'if' word, Rooney, darn that 'if' word. Darn it to heck.
January 8, 2007 - 08:07 ET by acaiguanaDarn 'if' word, Rooney, darn that 'if' word. Darn it to heck.
"... if it hadn't been for that one unfortunate incident [picture of Clinton with Lewinsky] that I don’t want to talk about in case there are children watching."
Children, rational people, intelligent people, educated people, people of thought, people who remember the reality of the Clinton nightmare, people who would rather kill themselves before another Clinton is elected to national office, people who are hysterical and hospitalized after this comment.
You are a card, Andy. You missed your calling. You should have been on Sesame Street. Oscar the Grouch comes to mind.
So, Andy, how's the gastric system these days. Getting old is painful, huh? Sitting down for more than 5 minutes can be hard.
ACA
...
Acaiguana says: "Which city is next?"
Andy your 15 centuries of fam
January 8, 2007 - 08:40 ET by USA4freedomAndy your 15 centuries of fame is up, please go. You are like some old wine-o that sits at the bar blabbing on and on, while you try to find another seat, as far away from the drunk as you can get. I guess some people think you are kind of cute in a crazy old uncle kind of way, I just find you foolish and ignorant.
America is best described by one word, freedom... Dwight D. Eisenhower
One unfortunate incident???
January 8, 2007 - 09:03 ET by JerryOne unfortunate incident???? Which ONE Andy?
a) Sexual harrassment of Paula Jones, b) lying to a Federal Judge, c) lying to a Grand Jury, d) lying to Congress, e) lying to the American people, f) Sexual harrassment of Kathleen Wiley, g) RAPE of Juanita Broderick, h) Whitewatergate, i) illegal possession of 1,000 FBI files, j) taking illegal campaign contributions from COMMUNISTS, k) giving China the technology to enable nuclear missle strikes upon our nation, l) giving plutonium to Kim Jong Ill, m) being disbarred from the legal profession, n) impeachment, o) taking advantage of teenage interns under your employment, p) incinerating children at Waco, q) teaching kids that oral sex is not sex, r) twice vetoing the ban on partial birth abortions, s) selling out the Whitehouse with your "sleepovers for cash", t) destroying a Chineese embasy, u) teaching kids that the meaning of the word "is" is not is, v) suicide-gate (vince foster), w) starting a war with Iraq to stall an impeachment vote, x) handing out pardons for cash, y) ripping a boy away at gunpoint and shipping him to a commie dictator, z) turning down the capture of Osama Bin Laden multiple times?????
Unfortunately Andy, I've run out of letters here. One can only assume that the ONE incident that prevents the Clinton presidency from greatness is the Clinton presidency itself. But I guess that would all depend on what the word IS is.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment
vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any
President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
The worst thing about Andy Ro
January 8, 2007 - 09:57 ET by The Real TonyThe worst thing about Andy Rooney is when this liberal scumbag finally drops dead, we'll have to listen to paean after paean, ad nauseum, about how clever and insightful this fat old windbag piece of shit was.
His appearance should be considered pornographic. He's not even relevant and since he's a caricature of himself, he's no longer parody fodder.
Fight Terrorism at home - defeat a liberal!
I thought Andy Rooney was d
January 8, 2007 - 11:08 ET by MightyMouthI thought Andy Rooney was dead? According to this, it appears I was wrong.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Andy Rooney Is A Old Fart
January 8, 2007 - 11:34 ET by emjem24Andy Rooney bitches and moans about anything that runs afoul from his ass! :) His take on presidents is laughable. He has no credibility in this department because he isn't even an historian let alone a presidential one. The man considers himself a WWII veteran when he only just covered it as a journalist. Freakin' hypocrite moron. This man is not only intellectually dishonest but he's a baffoon. My father-in-law, an ACTUAL WWII veteran, has more intellect in his little finger than Rooney will ever have. He's made fun off by most people I know, and not taken seriously. He's a bitter, old curmudgeon whose time would be better spent planning his funeral service than a story about presidential history. This would be funny if it wasn't so sad and pathetic. Good job there CBS, keep up the mediocrity.
The difficult we do immediately; the impossible takes a little longer. Air Force Motto
Andy Rooney Is A Old Fart
January 8, 2007 - 11:41 ET by emjem24Andy Rooney bitches and moans about anything that runs afoul from his ass! :) His take on presidents is laughable. He has no credibility in this department because he isn't even an historian let alone a presidential one. The man considers himself a WWII veteran when he only just covered it as a journalist. Freakin' hypocrite moron. This man is not only intellectually dishonest but he's a baffoon. My father-in-law, an ACTUAL WWII veteran, has more intellect in his little finger than Rooney will ever have. He's made fun off by most people I know, and not taken seriously. He's a bitter, old curmudgeon whose time would be better spent planning his funeral service than a story about presidential history. This would be funny if it wasn't so sad and pathetic. Good job there CBS, keep up the mediocrity.
The difficult we do immediately; the impossible takes a little longer. Air Force Motto
Andy is, once again, giving m
January 8, 2007 - 13:15 ET by Dave RAndy is, once again, giving me reason to change my opinion on mandatory retirement.
Rooney Looney Tuney Likes Car
January 8, 2007 - 13:22 ET by kathleenirishRooney Looney Tuney Likes Carter? The one who prompted the coining a new term: 'stagflation'? So, you like record high unemployment, record high inflation, and record high interest rates? You are one masochistic guy, Andy!
"He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere" -Ali ibn-Abi-Talib, 4th Islamic Caliph
rooney, you foolish old fart,
January 8, 2007 - 13:58 ET by TOErooney, you foolish old fart,
get a diaper!
When are we going to get bala
January 8, 2007 - 14:22 ET by JLS Las VegasWhen are we going to get balance from Rooney? He portrays himself to be fair mindind, but never challanges his belifs or offers any other veiwpoints. It was better when 60 Minutes had that point & conter point segment. Please lets get this country thinking again!
bizzarro world
January 8, 2007 - 18:14 ET by CatherwoodAm reminded her of the Seinfield episode where Jerry talks about a world where everything is the opposite of the way it is in the real world. Superman is weak, you say hello when you leave and goodby when you arrive. Rooney is a certified liberal loon who would feel right at home in bizzarro world. To say Jimmy Carter was hard not to like is just incredible. I saw him as a obsequious weakling who stood for nothing, stood up to no one and gave the presidency a bad name.