Be Thankful it was Harry [Truman], Not Henry [Wallace]

townhall.com ^ | November 26, 2011 | David R. Stokes

[MarkL]

IIRC, he (Truman) was the only pol who actually attended Pendergast's funeral. Against a lot of political opposition from his supporters. Another of his qualities was loyalty.

And he was very much his own man, even more so when he became President. Against a lot of opposition, he integrated the military (which I believe had been segregated by Wilson) and supported the creation of the State of Israel, against the opposition of George Marshall.

As you said, I do believe that he grew into the office as a great President, but all the "raw materials" were there before he ever got into politics. If you ever get a chance, a terrific biography was a made for TV movie, starring Gary Sinese.

When I was little, I remember Truman mowing his own yard in Independence.

Mark

[painter]

"The Senator from Pendergast," a very powerful political boss.

Not many people here would know who he was.I'm in my 50's here in Missouri and a history buff.

He was also a ganster similar to Capone who made most of his money selling bootleg whiskey during prohibition. I new an old guy who had two bootleg joints and he got his whiskey from him.

[painter]

My grandfather voted for Dewy in 48 because of Truman's connection to Pendergast.

[Oatka]

When I was little, I remember Truman mowing his own yard in Independence.

What hit me is that I understand he was the last president to leave office and not get a pension.

[iowamark]

Though Truman had a (well deserved) reputation for honesty and integrity

I hope that you are joking!

The Truman administration was perhaps the most corrupt in US history. He was well aware of this and devoted constant effort to derailing reformers like Estes Kefauver.