presidential blunders

Presidential historians don't often give Calvin Coolidge high marks. He is almost always ranked in the bottom half when scholars rank presidential success, and often significantly toward the cellar. The most common reason cited for his low scores is his failure to anticipate the impending financial crisis. That may or may not be fair, considering that his successor, Commerce Secretary Herbert Hoover, made the Great Depression his own. Besides, Coolidge wasn't a raving Hoover fan, saying, "For six years that man has given me unsolicited advice—all of it bad." Hoover's performance in office has made some wish that Silent Cal had run again in 1928. The 22nd Amendment restricting presidential terms did not exist at that time, but Coolidge chose not to run. "If I take another term, I will be in the White House till 1933. Ten years in Washington is longer than any other man has had it—too long," said Coolidge. "The Presidential office takes a heavy toll of those who occupy it and those who are dear to them. While we should not refuse to spend and be spent in the service of our country, it is hazardous to attempt what we feel is beyond our strength to accomplish."