H. W. Brands has written a compelling biography of Teddy Roosevelt, “T. R. The Last Romantic.” Published by BasicBooks in 1997, Brands biographical depiction of Roosevelt is as intriguing as any novel. But I cannot help making a comparison to Barack Obama of 2008.

Teddy Roosevelt was the Vice President under McKinley. He went about the ceremonial duties of the Vice President of that time - accepting an invitation by Booker T. Washington to visit Tuskegee Institute. But fate interceded, McKinley was assassinated and Roosevelt became President. Roosevelt offered a dinner invitation to Booker T. Washington which was readily [...]