Opinion

Bam-boozled bios of past presidents

Do you sometimes feel as though President Obama has the weight of history on his shoulders? That he’s carrying the burden of the accomplishments of his predecessors? That he embodies the best and brightest of the leaders of the free world?

If so, you are not alone. Barack Obama agrees with you. And the White House Web site, whitehouse.gov, now reflects that wisdom. It has turned the individual biographical sketches of every president since Calvin Coolidge (except Gerald Ford) into mere preludes to the historic first term of Obama, by adding bullet points explicitly outlining the various history-making torches the president is carrying.

Obama famously (if inaccurately) sought to co-opt Ronald Reagan’s tax-reform advocacy with his own budget gimmick known as the “Buffett Rule.” He has now taken it a step further, by enshrining this fact in Reagan’s official White House bio, as Heritage Foundation staffer Rory Cooper tweeted on Monday.

It sounded like a joke — but it wasn’t. A stroll through the presidential biographies on the site (adapted from “The Presidents of the United States of America,” by Michael Beschloss and Hugh Sidey) shows Obama’s habit of rewriting history. Obama popped up in every single presidential biography since Coolidge, adding fun facts about his efforts to one-up our previous commanders-in-chief. Some examples:

* “On Feb. 22, 1924, Calvin Coolidge became the first president to make a public radio address to the American people. President Coolidge later helped create the Federal Radio Commission, which has now evolved to become the Federal Communications Commission. President Obama became the first president to hold virtual gatherings and town halls using Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, etc.”

* “In a 1946 letter to the National Urban League, President Truman wrote that the government has ‘an obligation to see that the civil rights of every citizen are fully and equally protected.’ He ended racial segregation in civil service and the armed forces in 1948. Today, the Obama administration continues to strive toward upholding the civil rights of its citizens, repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, allowing people of all sexual orientations to serve openly in our armed forces.”

* “President Lyndon Johnson signed Medicare into law in 1965 — providing millions of elderly health-care stability. President Obama’s historic health-care reform law, the Affordable Care Act, strengthens Medicare, offers eligible seniors a range of preventive services with no cost-sharing, and provides discounts on drugs when in the coverage gap known as the ‘donut hole.’ ”

* “On August 14, 1935, President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act. Today, the Obama administration continues to protect seniors and ensure Social Security will be there for future generations.”

* “In a June 28, 1985 speech, Reagan called for a fairer tax code, one where a multi-millionaire did not have a lower tax rate than his secretary. Today, President Obama is calling for the same with the Buffett Rule.”

As you can see, Obama appreciates the efforts of FDR, Truman, Reagan and others to get the ball rolling so that Obama could complete the task. This is his way of thanking them for loosening the jar. It shows the president’s compassionate side as well; unlike most Americans, Obama found something worth celebrating in Jimmy Carter’s legacy. President Richard Nixon’s, too. (How postpartisan!)

Perhaps the most amusing item touts the Affordable Care Act, a k a ObamaCare. ObamaCare is massively unpopular and was subjected to a withering intellectual judgment at the Supreme Court in March. As such, he has chosen not to campaign explicitly on his signature achievement as he runs for re-election. But when future generations look to the White House biographies to read up on past presidents, they’ll learn about Obama’s role in passing health-care reform. Of course, if the Supreme Court strikes it down, it would be both confusing to readers and awkward for the president.

But no matter, he’ll still be president when the Supreme Court renders its verdict this summer. That’s what the delete button is for.

Seth Mandel is assistant editor of Commentary magazine.

@sethamandel