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President Trump last night threw an 80th birthday party for himself to “kick off” our country’s 250th birthday. After enduring a bloody fight on the south lawn and nearly naked men “stretching out” inside the historic residence…one needs to look back 50 years to how the United States Bicentennial was observed.
America’s 200th birthday was one of the largest national celebrations in U. S. history and involved years of preparation. Excitement was generated in communities across the country where parades, festivals, concerts and fireworks displays were big attractions.
Nations from around the world participated with over 200 ships gathered in New York harbor which brought together millions of spectators who watched the tall ships sail past the Statue of Liberty. A train known as “The American Freedom Train” toured from 1975-1976 to all 48 contiguous states. The train carried historic treasures such as important documents, artifacts and works of art so Americans across the country could see them.
The celebration came shortly after the end of the Vietnam War and Watergate scandal. There are some similarities between 1976 & 2026 such as economic concerns, international tensions, political controversy and questions about national identity. The biggest difference is that today’s partisan divide is deeper than it was in 1976.
Red, white and blue decorations throughout the country helped create a patriotic environment. President Gerald Ford played a quiet role leading many official ceremonies.
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Manchin Front Page of WSJ
WV Senator Joe Manchin takes front page of today’s Wall Street Journal. The article entitled “Wayward Senate Democrats Keep Distance From Obama.” Read the full story here.
Obama Challenger?
Obama Challenger? It is amazing to me that no one in the Democratic Party is challenging Obama. There must be some capable folks out there who believe they could do a better job. When Lyndon Johnson was on the ropes in 1968, Senator Eugene McCarthy took him on, won...
Political Tidbits…10.11.11
POSTMORTEM - week later. 7 lessons from Tomblin’s victory featured in POLITICOS post election coverage…it is interesting…if you want to read click here…otherwise there have been a lot of thoughtful coverage in the State’s media. Best post election line appeared in...
The Morning After
The special election for Governor is in the history books. Let’s be clear this was not a victory for President Obama or Obamacare. “Stay the course” was the winner. As we look back Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin chose the right course when he became acting...
Finance Reports Here…Election Underway
Candidates for governor have filed their last finance report until after the special election. Early voting started this week. The reports filed today cover expenditures from August 22 until September 18. To see where Republican Bill Maloney has gotten his money...
Political Tidbits…What Happen Last Night?
Party faithful last night honored Lincoln & Reagan…and cheered on GOP gubernatorial candidate Maloney…Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour was brought in…for the Gala…to push Maloney’s election….beat up on EPA spoke before dinner and departed. FIERY speaker of the...
Governor’s Race Starts
Well it finally started. The results are in from a survey conducted by Public Policy Polling (PPP) in North Carolina. The Governor’s race will be getting more attention, more activity and more enthusiasm to activate the party faithful. What the candidates need is...
Labor Day…Political Tidbits
Labor Day…a traditional start of political campaigns…something better start this special election for Governor…or no one is going to vote…there is no enthusiasm about this election…it appears even party activists are quiet. WHAT IS GOING ON…State Republican Committee...
Political Tidbits…8.28.11
38 days and voters are counting when they will be free from another political campaign…all the while candidates for Governor are counting the money…financial reports were to be filed Friday…not yet posted on SOS website…appears Tomblin’s funds have come from...
Obama Supporter Writes
Obama and the ‘Competency Crisis’ By Mortimer Zuckerman (The Wall Street Journal) The rising impatience with the leadership of President Obama was epitomized on August 8 in the middle of one of the now habitual Wall Street roller coasters. This speech on the economy...
Political Tidbits…
448 DAYS until the presidential election…49 DAYS BEFORE West Virginia’s gubernatorial election…with more activity, enthusiasm and interest in the presidential race…maybe the WV campaigns have decided to stay under the radar…save their money and fight another day…as...
Department of What?
President Obama is thinking of creating a Department of Jobs which would merge the Department of Commerce, the Office of the United States Trade Representative and some economic divisions at the State Department. Of course he will market this as a commitment to job...
BILLBOARD Archives
Obama & Boehner Fact Sheets
If you want to see what Washington is reading this morning about the debt deal. 4 page White House fact sheets, “Bipartisan Debt Deal: A Win for the Economy and Budget Discipline,” including the “Mechanics of the Debt Deal”. Click here to read. PDF Version. 7...
Where is Obama’s Challenger?
It’s hard to believe this guy does not have a challenger in his party. Remember when Senator Eugene McCarthy challenged LBJ or when Senator Ted Kennedy took on President Jimmy Carter? They’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling By Peggy Noonan (The Wall Street Journal) Is it...
Conservatives Scold Tea Party
The political aspect of the ongoing debt debate in Washington has huge consequences for the Republican Party and its 2012 nominee. The piece below offers the views of prominent conservative writers. Scold Your Own By Peter Catapano (NYT Opinionator) Well, something...
Morning After Reading
Baby Talk By William Kristol (The Weekly Standard.com) I was struck by these sentences in President Obama’s speech. Read the full story here. Congress In the Lead By David Brooks (The New York Times) Some of us like to think big. We thought at the beginning of this...
Inside Look at Boehner’s Call
A Capitol Hill newsletter, The Hill provides an inside look at Boehner’s call this afternoon. Boehner aims to have proposal Monday; Reid, Pelosi meet Obama By Molly K. Hooper, Russell Berman and Sam Youngman On a Sunday afternoon conference call with House...
BREAKING…Republicans Vote
Republican and Independent voters will have a voice in who represents them at the national Republican convention in 2012. State Executive Committee members decided to select delegates at the May primary 2012. Leaders from across the state voted unanimously not...
GOP Convention Debate
Convention vs. Primary West Virginia state code provides for political parties to determine how delegates to their national conventions will be selected. Republicans will make a decision this Saturday at a State Executive Committee meeting. Yes, I am for a primary....
Summer Tidbits…GOP Convention Rules
SUMMERTIME and the living is easy…but not for Bill Maloney the GOP candidate for Governor…he seems to be everywhere…parades, civic clubs, Republican events, interviews…and even a graduation speech in Nicholas County…and the work goes on. Draft Convention Rules for...
Cantor vs. Obama or Obama vs. Cantor?
Here is a little something for your evening reading. I remember working on Capitol Hill during Watergate…bet it is worst tonight. What Happen Between Cantor and Obama? By Michael D. Shear (The Caucus, New York Times Something happened between President Obama and...
Debt & Political Update
After an early morning reading of the debt news…or shall I say political news I have pulled together various pieces you may not have seen. This should give readers of phillipsbillboard a quick update. As all know there is much at stake here. Debt talks blow up By...
BREAKING — Obama Storms Out of Meeting
A respect Washington publication National Journal has reported on President Obama who “Stormed Out” of a debt meeting. There will be more details here than cable news will have time to report. Cantor: Obama Stormed Out of Debt-Ceiling Talks By Bill House, Katy...
Post Primary Gubernatorial Financial Reports
The post-primary financial reports of the candidates for Governor are filed. However, interest remains in what the candidates did with their money in the final days. Just reading the news accounts it appears the flow of campaign spending out of the state continued. ...