To be sure, hunters and sportsmen back gun rights. Beyond that, there are millions who see guns as a defense against fear - fear of criminals breaking into their homes or assaulting them on city streets. Robert Dallek assaultbackbreak share on social
What makes war interesting for Americans is that we don't fight war on our soil, we don't have direct experience of it, so there's an openness about the meanings we give to it. Robert Dallek americandirectexperience Change image and share on social
If nobody trusts you as president, then you can't get anything done. Robert Dallek presidenttrust Change image and share on social
My feeling is that it's a misreading of history to say that, as the Reagan supporters do, that Reagan won the Cold War. Robert Dallek coldfelthistory Change image and share on social
A presidential candidate's great desire is to be seen as pragmatic, and they hope their maneuvering and shifting will be seen in pursuit of some higher purpose. It doesn't mean they are utterly insincere. Robert Dallek candidatedesiregreat share on social
American politics is theatre. There is a frightening emotionalism at national conventions. Robert Dallek americanconventionemotionalism Change image and share on social
At the end of their first years, there are few people who would have predicted that Truman would be elected in 1948 or that Reagan would get a second term. It's always premature to make some kind of categorical judgment after the first year in office. Robert Dallek categoricalelectend share on social
For style and for creating a mood of optimism and hope - Kennedy on that count is as effective as any president the country has had in its history. Robert Dallek countcountrycreate Change image and share on social
Nixon's deep antipathy toward Jews is well known, and he took a strange satisfaction in having Kissinger in his inner circle, where he could periodically taunt him. Robert Dallek antipathycircledeep Change image and share on social
Governing is one thing, campaigning is another - and the latter becomes far more pronounced in an election-year State of the Union. Robert Dallek campaignelectiongovern Change image and share on social