The most intelligent president s we have ever had. I mean, he is up there in the top half dozen. And when we go through his life, by the end of it, or the middle of it, youre going to start laughing because youre just going to say no, that cant be, he cant be that good in that field, its just not possible. And then well find something else. And youre going to say, no, he is just incredibly bright. And the hope for his presidency was enormous. And so were going to discuss an absolutely brilliant human being. I was chatting with a friend before. And he asked me if i thought garfield was the most intelligent. Its i dont know how you test Something Like that. Its not as if you give president s iq tests. Its a lot easier with things that are easy to measure. Tall and short. I mean, we all know that madison was our shortest president , lincoln was our tallest president. Thats easy. I dont know how you know who the most intelligent. Certainly the two adams, jefferson, madison, lincoln. Garfie
Us from history books as the great compromiser. During his 49year political career, clay served as secretary of state, speaker of the house, and as a u. S. Senator. And he was a contender, making sure president ial bids including the election of 1824. 1832 against Andrew Jackson, and 1844, when he ran against james k. Polk. Tonight we are on location at ashland. Henry clays home in lexington, kentucky. For the next 90 minutes, we will explore the life and legacy of this man. Unsuccessful in his long quest for the white house, yet having an outsized influence on American History. We are in henry clays parlor. Let me introduce you to jim klotter, 25 years now as kentucky state historian. Jim thanks for being with us. Glad to be here. Why henry clay . Why is he relevant to americans living in our time . Think a couple of counts. First of all, his famous counts, i would rather be right than be president , still speaks to us. Its a clarion call to people across whatever were during. Whether
1844, when he ran against james k. Polk. Tonight, we are on location at ashland henry clays home in lexington, kentucky. For the next 90 minutes, we will explore the life and legacy of this man, unsuccessful in his long quest for the white house, yet having an outsized influence on American History. We are in henry clays parlor. Let me introduce you to jim klotter, 25 years now as kentucky state historian. Thanks for being with us. Glad to be here. Why henry clay . Why is he relevant to americans living in our time . I think a couple of counts. First of all, his famous counts, famous comment, i would rather be right than be president , still speaks to us. Its a clarion call to people across whatever were doing. Whether were in politics or Something Else, to do the right things. He also said, you know, that in a sense, that the politicians need to remember the country and sacrifice for the country. I think that is still something we need to remember, as well. The man known as the great
This man, unsuccessful in his long quest for the white house, yet having an outsized influence on American History. We are in henry clays parlor. Let me introduce you to jim klotter, 25 years now as kentucky state historian. Thanks for being with us. Glad to be here. Why henry clay . Why is he relevant to americans living in our time . I think a couple of counts. First of all, his famous comment, i would rather be right than be president , still speaks to us. Its a clarion call to people doing. Whether were in politics or Something Else, to do the right things. He also said, you know, that in a sense, that the politicians need to remember the country and sacrifice for the country. I think that is still something we need to remember, as well. The man known as the great compromiser. A man that forged compromises that not only kept the nation together, but were constructive. Those kind of things i think are the things we need to remember about henry clay, as well as all the things that he
Next, the Smithsonian Associates host an event looking at the life and death of president garfield. This is two hours. , the one that i find the most interesting is the one we are going to discuss tonight, James Garfield. For quite a number of reasons, first of all, garfield is one of the most intelligent president s we have ever had, he is up there in the top half dozen. When we go through his life, by the end of it or a middle of it you can start laughing, because you are going to say no, that cant be. He cant be that good in that field. It is not possible. And then we find something else. And you are going to say no. He is just incredibly bright. The hope for his presidency was enormous. We are going to discuss and absolutely brilliant human being. I was chatting with a friend before and he has me five are garfield most intelligent, i dont know how you test Something Like that. Its not like you give president s iq tests. Its easier with things that are easy to measure. Tall and shor