100 days - Starting the Job, From FDR to Obama

http://100days.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/get-out-of-the-white-house/

Lou Cannon wrote an interesting article in today's New York Times, about a President's ability (or inability) to maintain a sense of normalcy while in office, and how this sense of normalcy or balance can allow for personal happiness even while governing in troubled times. The article talked about FDR and how he maintained a "social hour" where he sat aside pressing presidential issues and engaged in pleasant conversation for a while. The writer also talked about Ronald Reagan's frequent visits to his ranch in California for horseback riding and relaxation. Mr. Cannon drew a strong comparison of the efforts of Reagan and FDR, and those of our current president Obama. The writer also talked about the efforts of FDR and Reagan to connect to everyday Americans with weekly radio addresses, and how President Obama carries the tradition forward with weekly postings on Youtube. He ends the article by pointing out that staying "normal" is no guarantee of a successful presidency; citing the low approval rating of George Bush even the article talked about FDR & he maintained a "social hour" where he set aside pressing presidential concerns though he appears to have enjoyed his time in office. He notes that while Obama's personal happiness and sense of normalcy doesn't insure success though it can't hurt.