White House operatives went to great lengths to show Obama shifting focus from wars abroad to domestic issues at home. – Ron Fournier
Movies such as Mr. Smith Goes to Washington in 1939 to Dave in 1993 portray Washington leaders as the ultimate Everymen – decent people just like you and me, only thrust onto greatness. – Ron Fournier
Say what you want to say about the rest of his presidency, including his tone-deaf response to Katrina and a war waged in Iraq on false pretenses, Bush connected with Americans in the aftermath of 9/11 because he looked as frail and unforgiving as we felt. – Ron Fournier
Although we were never pals and occasionally butted heads, my relationship with Clinton and his wife, Hillary, made me a better journalist. – Ron Fournier