Andrew Jackson Pays Off the National Debt

Andrew Jackson

Pol Light Moment #153 occurred on January 1, 1835, when Andrew Jackson paid off the National Debt. Andrew Jackson served as the 7th President of the United States from 1829 to 1837. He also served as a United States Senator from Tennessee from 1823 to 1825.

When Andrew Jackson became President in 1829 he inherited a debt of about $58 million. This was the equalivent of $1.4 billion in 2010 dollars (When America Paid Off the National Debt, Brian Lipshutz, July 25, 2011). In 1824 Jackson called the National Debt a "national curse". Jackson believed the borrowing clause in the Constitution was for emergencies and borrowing should not be a permanent practice.

After six years of his policies as President he was able to accomplish his goal of paying off the National Debt. This happened on January 1, 1835, and was the only time since then in the history of the United States that the country has been out of debt.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of Andrew Jackson is in the Public Domain.

Al Gore Rescues 270 Katrina Victims

Al Gore

Pol Light Moment #95 happened on September 3-4, 2005, when Al Gore arranged for two private charter flights to airlift 270 people out of New Orleans after the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Al Gore served as the Vice-President of the United States from 1993-2001. He was a candidate for President in 2000.  From 1985-1993 he served as a United States Senator from Tennessee.

Dr. David Kline, a neurosurgeon who operated on Al Gore's son after his life threatening accident in 1989 was in New Orleans at the Charity Hospital helping patients after Katrina. Dr. Kline got a message to Al Gore that the people there were in a terrible situation that was increasingly growing worse. Hearing of the heartbreaking situation, Al Gore decided to personally provide for two flights to evacuate 270 people from New Orleans. He also physically traveled on those flights.

Al Gore's personal physician at the time, Dr. Anderson Spickard accompanied Gore on the flights and said, “Gore told me he wanted to do this because like all of us he wanted to seize the opportunity to do what one guy can do, given the assets that he has (Outside the Beltway, September 10, 2005).”

In addition to funding the flights, "Gore worked to cut through government red tape, personally calling Gov. Phil Bredesen to get Tennessee’s support and U.S. Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta to secure landing rights in New Orleans (Outside the Beltway, September 10, 2005)."

Al Gore has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Al Gore posts search with the Al Gore label at Pol Light.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

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The photo of Al Gore is in the Public Domain.

Harry T. Burn Votes for Women's Suffrage

Pol Light Moment #93 happened on August 18, 1920, when Harry T. Burn (1895-1977) cast the deciding vote in the last state needed to ratify the 19th Amendment (women's suffrage) in a session of the legislator at the State of Tennessee. Harry T. Burn served in the Tennessee State House of Representatives from 1918-1922. He later served in the Tennessee State Senate from 1948-1952.

The U.S. Congress had approved the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. Tennessee was the final state needed to ratify the Amendment and they were split on the issue.

Harry T. Burn was a 24 year old legislator that was part of the anti suffrage camp. However, at the last moment he switched sides because of a letter he had received from his mother and he cast the deciding vote for a women's right to vote.

“I know that a mother’s advice is always the safest for a boy to follow,” Burn said, switching sides (New York Times, My Favorite August, August 13, 2010). Because of the historical importance of his vote and the publicity about his rationale for voting as he did, Harry T. Burn became known by some as a hero and others as a "mamma's boy".

This is part of the eight page letter that Harry Burn's mother sent him about his vote on the 19th Amendment and that he kept in his pocket when he changed his mind and voted in support of women's suffrage.

Dear Son: 

Hurrah and vote for suffrage! Don't keep them in doubt! I notice some of the speeches against. They were bitter. I have been watching to see how you stood, but have not noticed anything yet. Don't forget to be a good boy and help Mrs. Catt put the "rat" in ratification. 

Your mother

(Source: Tennessee State Library and Archives) 

The New York Times reported this account of the vote in its August 19, 1920 edition.

The vote at the outset was on partisan lines, but when the name of Representative Harry T. Burn, Republican, of McMinn County, was called, he voted "Aye." The opposition then virtually conceded defeat, for Mr Burn had voted with them to table the resolution, and his change gave the suffregists the needed majority (Wikipedia, Harry T. Burn). 

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Al Gore Concedes 2000 Presidential Election

Al Gore

Pol Light Moment #90 happened on December 13, 2000, when Al Gore conceded the historically close 2000 Presidential Election to George W. Bush. Al Gore served as the Vice-President of the United States from 1993-2001. He was a candidate for President in 2000.  From 1985-1993 he served as a United States Senator from Tennessee.

The 2000 Presidential Election was historically close. Al Gore had won the popular vote, but the election came down to the State of Florida which had recorded 537 more votes for George W. Bush then Al Gore. The candidate who won Florida would exceed the 270 electoral votes needed to become President. The closeness of the November 7, 2000 election resulted in 36 days of drama which included recounts in select counties in Florida and an eventual case at the Supreme Court. After the Supreme Court affirmed the vote tally in Florida, Al Gore conceded the election.

Here is a video of Al Gore's Concession speech on December 13, 2000.

A political person is often at their best when they give their concession speech and this was no exception for Al Gore.  A transcript of Al Gore's speech is included here.

Good evening.

Just moments ago, I spoke with George W. Bush and congratulated him on becoming the 43rd president of the United States. And I promised him that I wouldn't call him back this time. I offered to meet with him as soon as possible so that we can start to heal the divisions of the campaign and the contest through which we've just passed. 

Almost a century and a half ago, Senator Stephen Douglas told Abraham Lincoln, who had just defeated him for the presidency, "Partisan feeling must yield to patriotism. I'm with you, Mr. President, and God bless you." Well, in that same spirit, I say to President-elect Bush that what remains of partisan rancor must now be put aside, and may God bless his stewardship of this country. Neither he nor I anticipated this long and difficult road. Certainly neither of us wanted it to happen. Yet it came, and now it has ended, resolved, as it must be resolved, through the honored institutions of our democracy.

Over the library of one of our great law schools is inscribed the motto, "Not under man but under God and law." That's the ruling principle of American freedom, the source of our democratic liberties. I've tried to make it my guide throughout this contest, as it has guided America's deliberations of all the complex issues of the past five weeks.

Now the U.S. Supreme Court has spoken. Let there be no doubt, while I strongly disagree with the court's decision, I accept it. I accept the finality of this outcome which will be ratified next Monday in the Electoral College. And tonight, for the sake of our unity as a people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession. I also accept my responsibility, which I will discharge unconditionally, to honor the new President-elect and do everything possible to help him bring Americans together in fulfillment of the great vision that our Declaration of Independence defines and that our Constitution affirms and defends.

Let me say how grateful I am to all those who supported me and supported the cause for which we have fought. Tipper and I feel a deep gratitude to Joe and Hadassah Lieberman, who brought passion and high purpose to our partnership and opened new doors, not just for our campaign but for our country.

This has been an extraordinary election. But in one of God's unforeseen paths, this belatedly broken impasse can point us all to a new common ground, for its very closeness can serve to remind us that we are one people with a shared history and a shared destiny. Indeed, that history gives us many examples of contests as hotly debated, as fiercely fought, with their own challenges to the popular will. Other disputes have dragged on for weeks before reaching resolution. And each time, both the victor and the vanquished have accepted the result peacefully and in a spirit of reconciliation.

I know that many of my supporters are disappointed. I am too. But our disappointment must be overcome by our love of country.

And I say to our fellow members of the world community, let no one see this contest as a sign of American weakness. The strength of American democracy is shown most clearly through the difficulties it can overcome. Some have expressed concern that the unusual nature of this election might hamper the next president in the conduct of his office. I do not believe it need be so.

President-elect Bush inherits a nation whose citizens will be ready to assist him in the conduct of his large responsibilities. I, personally, will be at his disposal, and I call on all Americans -- I particularly urge all who stood with us -- to unite behind our next president. This is America. Just as we fight hard when the stakes are high, we close ranks and come together when the contest is done. 

And while there will be time enough to debate our continuing differences, now is the time to recognize that that which unites us is greater than that which divides us. While we yet hold and do not yield our opposing beliefs, there is a higher duty than the one we owe to political party. This is America and we put country before party; we will stand together behind our new president.

As for what I'll do next, I don't know the answer to that one yet. Like many of you, I'm looking forward to spending the holidays with family and old friends. I know I'll spend time in Tennessee and mend some fences, literally and figuratively.

Some have asked whether I have any regrets, and I do have one regret: that I didn't get the chance to stay and fight for the American people over the next four years, especially for those who need burdens lifted and barriers removed, especially for those who feel their voices have not been heard. I heard you. And I will not forget.

I've seen America in this campaign, and I like what I see. It's worth fighting for and that's a fight I'll never stop. As for the battle that ends tonight, I do believe, as my father once said, that "No matter how hard the loss, defeat might serve as well as victory to shape the soul and let the glory out."

So for me this campaign ends as it began: with the love of Tipper and our family; with faith in God and in the country I have been so proud to serve, from Vietnam to the vice presidency; and with gratitude to our truly tireless campaign staff and volunteers, including all those who worked so hard in Florida for the last 36 days.

Now the political struggle is over and we turn again to the unending struggle for the common good of all Americans and for those multitudes around the world who look to us for leadership in the cause of freedom.

In the words of our great hymn, "America, America": "Let us crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea."

And now, my friends, in a phrase I once addressed to others: it's time for me to go.

Thank you, and good night, and God bless America
(Source: American Rhetoric Online Speech Bank).

Al Gore has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Al Gore posts search with the Al Gore label at Pol Light.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

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The photo of Al Gore is in the Public Domain.

Bush and Gore at 2000 Alfred Smith Dinner

Pol Light Moment #57 took place on October 19, 2000, when the two men running for President of the United States shared the stage to support Catholic charities and disadvantaged children. Governor George W. Bush (later to be elected President) and Vice-President Al Gore were joint keynote speakers at the 55th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York on October 19, 2000.

Alfred E. Smith was a former Governor of New York, who was the first Catholic Presidential candidate (Source).  During Presidential election years the dinner has frequently featured the candidates for President. The 2000 rendition of this longstanding dinner raised about $900,000 for Catholic charities (Source). The following is an abbreviated highlight version developed by the Alfred Smith Foundation. 

A full version of the speeches at the dinner can be seen in this C-SPAN video below. We apologize but it is not compatible with mobile phones. You can read other posts by the George W. Bush and Al Gore on Pol Light blog. 

• For George W. Bush search with George W. Bush label at Pol Light.
• For Al Gore search with Al Gore label at Pol Light. 

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.