Politicians from the House and Senate to the top man in the White House were often targets for Will Rogers’ humor in his daily newspaper columns, regular radio shows and stage and speaking engagements.
Some were mentioned more than others. In fact, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the subject for Will’s writings 500 times.
As we approach Election Day 2006, we can only imagine what he would be doing with all the questions being raised locally and nationally. He raised some of them himself more than 70 years ago.
Glimpse into the peak years of Will’s clever writings in a Will Rogers Museum display on loan from Walt Disney Imagineering, the Animation Research Library and Walt Disney Feature Animation.
Seven sculptured heads from the Hall of Presidents, an attraction in the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort, can be seen with excerpts from Will’s writings in the theater wing of the Claremore museum.
There were several points in Will’s career when he was encouraged to seek office. Life Magazine mounted an editorial campaign promoting him for the presidency in 1928. Serious at first, it turned into a multi-issue campaign and joke-filled columns by Will, who was promoted as the Anti Bunk party candidate.
The seven heads, sculpted by Blaine Gibson, are accompanied by comments from the era they served. The exhibit also includes items from the Will Rogers Museum archives including a personal note from Theodore Roosevelt, written in 1908, and invitations to the White House.
•Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt (1901-09) was the first president Will wrote about. When he died he wrote, “We lost Roosevelt. If we can spare men like Roosevelt and Wilson, there is no use in any other politician ever taking himself serious.”
•He was complimentary of William Howard Taft (1909-13) and on his death wrote, “Mr. Taft will go to his grave with more real downright affection and less enemies than anyone. He always seemed like he was one of us.”
•Woodrow Wilson (1913-21) was the first sitting president to watch Will on stage. “I lost the most distinguished person who ever laughed at my little nonsensical jokes,” he wrote when Wilson died.
•Warren Harding (1921-23) a short-termer, was the subject of Will’s third syndicated column. “The president gave a luncheon for the visiting governors when they discussed, but didn’t try prohibition.”
•Calvin Coolidge (1923-29) was in office when Will attended his first party convention in 1924. He was at the dedication of Hoover Dam and with Coolidge present said, “The president didn’t do anything, but that’s what we wanted.”
•Will once challenged Herbert Hoover (1929-33) to a joint debate, “in any joint you choose.” About Hoover he wrote, “Mr. Hoover is becoming a typically American president by becoming disgusted with the Senate early in his administration.”
•Franklin Roosevelt (1933-45) was a favorite of Will. He introduced him at a presidential campaign rally in 1932.
Vice President John Nance Garner’s office was Will’s Washington headquarters and he often dropped in at the Garner’s apartment when he knew they would be sitting down for breakfast, Will’s wife Betty wrote in her book.
She said he was a welcome visitor to the White House during the administrations of Coolidge, Hoover and Roosevelt.
After winning the election, Will wrote this about Roosevelt. “American hasn’t been as happy in three years as they are today, no money, no bank, no work, no nothing, but I know they got a man in there who is wise to Congress and wise to our so-called big men. The whole world is with him.”
President Roosevelt made the speech on radio dedicating the Claremore museum when it opened in 1938.
Will Rogers didn’t know about blue states and red states. And he never predicted the outcome of a race. He didn’t have access to this poll or that poll, but he probably would take the same tact today and remain humorous but neutral.
(Visit the Will Rogers … Friend of Presidents exhibit and a rare artwork depicting Will as a cowboy-humorist playing polo with Disney cartoon characters and other exhibits in the nine-gallery museum open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)