Presidential Moments: Hail to the Chief Nicknames
When you're in the public eye (and the press) as much as the U.S. Commander in Chief, it's difficult to avoid gathering a few unofficial titles. Match the President to his nickname.
1. "Flying Dutchman":
Martin Van Buren. Martin Van Buren was a Dutch-American who grew up in Kinderhook, New York, speaking Dutch at home. The first President who was actually born a citizen of the country, he worked as a party organizer and a political strategist. He was not a popular leader, like his predecessor, charismatic Andrew Jackson. Other nicknames include "Red Fox of Kinderhook," "Little Magician," and "American Talleyrand."
2. The "Plodder":
James K. Polk. As Speaker of the House, prior to becoming President, Polk was known for his conscientiousness. He was not a popular man, without a personal following, known for being cold, suspicious, humorless, lacking charm and personal magnitude. He failed twice in reelection for governor of Texas.
3. "General Mum":
William Henry Harrison. Democrats criticized Whig Harrison for evading the issues during the campaign. The Whig party lacked an actual party platform in the election of 1840. Harrison made few speeches, apparently so nothing could be used against him. His most memorable speech, where he was not "mum," was his two-hour inauguration address. Unfortunately, he caught cold and died of pnemonia. He was also nicknamed "Old Tippecanoe," "Granny Harrison" (he was the oldest elected president of his time at age 68), Log Cabin Candidate (although he came from a privileged background), and "Cinncinatus of the West."
4. The "Usurper":
Rutherford B. Hayes. Due to the controversy of the election of 1876 resulting in a vote in the House of Representatives between Samuel J. Tilden and Hayes, who won by one vote, Hayes was also called "His Fraudulency and "Rutherfraud B. Hayes."
5. "Mr. Malaprop":
William Howard Taft. Careless about remembering names and tactless references, Taft often made politically self-damaging remarks. He was also known as "Taft the Blunderer." He often fell asleep during cabinet meetings dinners, and conferences.
6. "Chief of the One Liners":
Ronald Reagan. Reagan was also nicknamed "Great Communicator," "Chief Jokster," and "Chief Punster." He collected funny stories and solicited jokes for opportune situations. Secretary of State George Schultz often added a joke to cables sent to Reagan while overseas just to make sure the President read the cable. Reagan told many jokes about the Soviet Union and often told anti-Soviet stories, helping to develop a good relationship with Mikhail Gorbachev.
- Paul F. Boller, Jr. Presidential Anecdotes (Philadelphia: Running Press, 2007).
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