Comments on: Polk: the Man who Transformed the Presidency and America by Walter R. Borneman

By: Bruce Johnson

Bruce Johnson — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:54:40 +0000

One key detail Borneman makes clear but this overview leaves a bit muddy is that the slogan “Fifty-four forty or fight!” (as well as the “ph” version coined by a Philadelphia newspaper) was NEVER used by advocates of seizing “all Oregon”, contrary to what many of us learned in school. Rather it was the invention of their CRITICS (first known use by Reverdy Johnson, Senator from Maryland).

Incidentally, the slogan dates from the Spring of 1846 – the year the Oregon question was settled – not 1845.

By: Bob Timmermann

Bob Timmermann — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:04:55 +0000

Thanks for reading.

By: Scott Warren

Scott Warren — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:19:30 +0000

Bob – Nice read! Just a shout out from the birthplace of our 11th president at the President James K. Polk State Historic Site in Pineville, NC.

By: Bob Hendley

Bob Hendley — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:18:01 +0000

Oh, Calhoun sighting.

By: Bob Timmermann

Bob Timmermann — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:23:28 +0000

I believe the United States made a profit on the deal in the end.

By: Bob Hendley

Bob Hendley — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:22:10 +0000

Despite the war, it still cost us $25 million for Alta California and New Mexico, as we included a payment of $15 million in the treaty and later had to fork over $10 million in the Gadsen Purchase.

By: Penarol1916

Penarol1916 — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:18:09 +0000

I’ve got to agree with Mr. Timmerman on the title of the book not being apt. Polk was really just the fulfillment and then the end of the Jacksonian era, not the changing of anything. I will say, I do like him substantially more than Jackson, he was more pragmatic and not a morally righteous jerk.

By: grandcosmo

grandcosmo — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:52:54 +0000

I visited the James Polk house back when Nixon was President.

That’s all I’ve got.

By: Bob Timmermann

Bob Timmermann — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:45:30 +0000

I went to Point Roberts because I was in Vancouver and I thought it would be interesting to visit.

I was mistaken.

By: Fran Curran

Fran Curran — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:44:28 +0000

1. For the win: 7 basketball coaches-I’m still giggling
2. What brought you to Point Roberts?
3. Excellent read. I guess I have to be grateful to Polk, with the help of Fremont and Kearney, for my beloved state. Yay Polk.