Author, historian, and Pulitzer Prize winner Doris Kearns Goodwin was interviewed on the NPR Leonard Lopate show today, Thursday, November 14. Her new book is entitled “The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft and the Golden Age of Journalism.” The interview was delayed by a live broadcast of President Obama’s press conference dealing with the Affordable Care Act. The timing could not have been more perfect because of the subject matter of her new book.
Goodwin spoke about how different Obama’s relationship with the press is compared to that of T.R. and Taft. One of the biggest differences, of course, is how immediate Obama’s comments will be to the public. Roosevelt’s speeches would be printed in full in the next day’s newspapers. Tomorrow many newspapers will not print everything Obama said but will probably focus on his use of the word “fumble” in his explanation of what has happened so far in getting people signed up for health care.
Goodwin also spoke about how T.R. was the first president to create a press room and how he formed friendships with the press. She contrasted T.R.’s dealings with reporters compared to that of Obama. Lopate brought up the fact that David Sanger of the NYT recently wrote that the Obama administration if the most closed administration he ever covered.
In addition to these comments, the author discussed the similarities and differences between Taft and Roosevelt. Political mavericks of the time, they parted political ways after a falling out over tariff legislation. Goodwin says that she seems to pick historical figures whose actions and policies changed the direction of our country. These big men in size and importance should make for a fascinating book. Hopefully, it will get some circulation.