Title: Here and Now for Friday, February 27, 2009

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" I'm running yelling it here and now president Obama began this week with a fiscal responsibility summit he ends it with -- exit plan for Iraq. A compromise that it's it's on his core supporters. The president plans to pull out all combat troops from Iraq by August 30. A nineteen month timetable three months longer than you promised during the campaign. Most of the draw down is to begin next year and at least 35 to 50000 troops in Iraq as non combatants. Julian Barnes is pentagon correspondent for the Los Angeles Times Julian is some of president Obama's backers are disappointed in this plan what's been reaction from the military."

" The military is pleased with this I mean it's a compromise they originally wanted 23 months draw down. But they are pleased that president essentially met them in the middle coming off of his campaign promise and picking. Date that they think take some rest but not unnecessary risk."

" Well John McCain of course sent. -- who ran against -- Obama says today he supports the plan because it's significantly different from what Obama was saying during the campaign of course -- underscores. What Obama supporters are happy with."

" That's right I mean. Some people who did close readings of what Obama was saying in the campaign said. You know this is not terribly different. He didn't always leave open the idea other residual force -- Iraq he also. Said he would listen to his commanders win. Create responsible draw down."

" What are the provision that would -- thousands of noncombat troops in Iraq a democratic leaders of both houses Harry -- in the Senate Nancy Pelosi in the house. Seem unhappy with how high the numbers."

" Yeah community is higher than Democrats thought it is in the tens of thousands. On what to. The Obama administration is saying today is that you know this is -- force it's only going to be there for the second half of 2010. And through 2011 after that the -- would Iraq says. All forces must be out."

" And tell more about his status of forces agreement. With Iraq that the US negotiated last year it as you should requires all US troops to be pulled out of the country by the end 31. So does that mean noncombat troops."

" That means. By the letter of -- agreement that all forces. Must be out now there could. Could be a few of military. To protect the embassy but. Not tens of thousands an Obama administration is saying today that they're not looking for a -- model or Germany model they do not want a long term presence of tens of thousands of troops in Iraq they are intending to meet federal department of that agreement to get all forces out of Iraq."

" And of course with other conflicts in mind. He's not saying this is the end of the war in Iraq is he."

" He is promising to wind down -- war in Iraq at the end of the war in Iraq is not going to happen it. It August 20 tent there's still going to be forces there they're going to be advising me Iraqis they're going to be. Doing counterterrorism. Missions. We will still see Americans dying in Iraq after August 20 tend. But Obama is winding down that the war that is definitely true."

" And part is that going to be there -- more than 200 military installations in Iraq a 142000. Troops another 148000. Contractors. So how does -- pull out work is is -- that much of the equipment and certainly the the basis themselves will be left behind."

" We've got some really good question that is a huge logistics challenge before the military -- they have been planning for this they knew this day would be coming up but. There is. You know tens of thousands of humvees. Camera. -- there's thousands of tanks over there all of those things need to be removed. They're going to leave. Pollen and some of these bases many of these pages and they're going to transfer them. To the Iraqis but much of that equipment specially the most sensitive equipment there and they're not only behind they're going to have to take out."

" This in your view it hey at least in the short term vindication. For President Bush in General Petraeus is surge strategy."

" You know if the surge had not been militarily. Successful. Obama would not have an. As he -- time winding down the war he would have much more resistance from the military at. At the pace of distraught down there would be much more danger that. Violence could flare up so. It wasn't for the military success from the surge this would have been very hard to do."

" And of course historians will say if it weren't for the invasion of Iraq. We wouldn't be struggling to leave it."

" The military always with the caveat on that leaving aside the initial invasion of Iraq. They realize that's a controversial. Decision to end probably decision that history -- look kindly upon."

" Julian Barnes pentagon correspondent for the Los Angeles Times thanks so much. --"

" Well in Friday's we like to kick back a little with a topic off the news radar and on this Friday. We really need a break from the news and we're not the only ones. President Obama plans to unwind at his first NBA game as president tonight. Who really look for the Washington Wizards take on Obama's hometown Chicago doubles. It's well known known that Barack Obama loves basketball he said he might replace the White House bowling Alley with an indoor basketball court all of which thrills who enthusiasts. It doesn't really matter. According to the president's brother in law Oregon State basketball coach Craig Robinson. Basketball is why Barack Obama is in the White House. So today a conversation about basketball in politics and race and the white house with Alex will senior writer for Sports Illustrated his recent articles and titled the audacity of hoops. And he joins us now from the studios of Middlebury College in Vermont Alex welcome. -- And also joining -- clay Johnson he started the blog Boller in chief. And -- also runs the website black five step comic documents than history of African Americans in basketball prior to the integration of the Indian. And Clyde joins us from the here are irrelevant and we -- you both about a foot basketball really does mean if anything and Alex you start. We think of Obama's brother in law's statement you know he is -- is an Oval Office because basketball hyper link."

" Well I do think what Craig Robinson was getting at there was. Besides did it while Barack Obama was going through his adolescence and Honolulu he was in a state with theory very few. African Americans at the time his dad was gone. He was trying to figure out who we wise and he's been very frank in his first book is memoir dreams from my father about how to ask oppose the refuge it was a a place he could see other young blacks. Empowering themselves."

" And it set him off on this life's journey that I think come. Has basketball beating in an out of -- and his father in you know in many ways -- him but did when he saw him that one time when he was ten. Did give her basketball. Yeah and the symbolism of that I think come Bryant Gumbel had a very revealing interview with the Obama back during the campaign. In NASA sent might have been part of the reason he's held so -- it became all these years that that was kind of a charge from his father and he he said there's probably some trees to net."

" Well you know Claude who again you start this web -- Boller in chief -- someone please pick -- basketball. You do some research and you say this is the first president to have such a strong interest in basketball and I'm getting that that's not the only thing that. Helped you identify with him I mean there's a lot. That you also have in common Mueller also mixed race your father's from the south -- Chicago. You family lived out of the country for awhile in Congo. It's those were bad you know. Obama through that filter of basketball and mixed race for use."

" Yeah I mean the thing is there's a strong ability to identify and to find yourself on the basketball court because it's colorblind. You become friends with folks that -- identify with you strictly based on your skills and your abilities so. When I was growing up and I'm sure this was the case for Barack Obama and he's pointing that out in his book. You have to make a choice sometimes. In my black in my way. To white people you know wide enough to black people you're not black enough. It can get very confusing. So I think for me it's always been a place and and away. Of creating the world for myself where I could fit in and identified with the rest of the basketball."

" And basketball player that's are well -- Alex -- of Sports Illustrated you take us through the whole trajectory Obama. To the whole campaign where he played horse with a kid in Indiana. And many he thinks that three point hearing Kuwait he's visiting the troops. And it became it sometimes a politically slippery slope for Barack Obama whether or not David Axelrod in his campaign manager want him to play basketball."

" Yeah and Axelrod confessed. -- say this after the elections seriously that he didn't want. Obama to play back generally a 7UP to New Hampshire play basketball when he had invitations to because. He didn't want him to be introduced for the first time on using that medium because it is somewhat racially charged with them. In New Hampshire as we don't know over over time people get to know candidates have very very well and then it was okay by -- lights to -- and do that."

" I just wanna underscore this because you know -- New Hampshire is of predominantly white states and he was worried that if Obama played basketball I would underscore that. Oh yes he's he's black."

" Well just that is that we're the first way that the voters in New Hampshire com and I will point out an interest estate."

" To a topped the mark with the king holiday out of super -- what state go to Bradley what state that has little work to do sometimes. That might have put him back on his heels -- fit in terms of making that first impressions."

" Went and would you say well and I think you to say in your article that. At least a couple of other states is -- Indiana and North Carolina he may be one because it played."

" Basketball. Well it the fact that he carried the states I'm not second pesky pole was. The decisive factor obviously if you're an Indiana EC a lot of Obama an Illinois television. But here we have the two rightists states from the -- four elections he Indiana North Carolina happened also. To be two of the most basketball -- states and not only can Obama win them but he did use basketball ought to get out there to connect with people. And I do think it may be take some of the foreigners and exotic nature of this candidate how to play."

" Well incline you've said that both you and Obama used basketball as a way to fit in but. Talk about basketball as a way to reach out is there something in the way Obama plays in the game in eighty hold himself on the court. That helps -- maybe be a bridge maker off the court."

" Yeah I think so because it in basketball. It's understood especially in pickup basketball. That it's a team game. You are on the team. But the next game you might be on a completely different team with a completely different. Mix of ingredients on your squad so. It's about you but not really about you if you're playing on a fixed team you can speak about your team's record. And you can say we're nineteen and one or whatever your record is. But if you're putting pickle ball where every single game you might get a different team. You still have to play team ball but as with different guys all the time so you do have to involve everyone. You have to understand your role -- you have to understand that you can't just win only by your own skills or by your own self and even if you did know we might -- your next time because your ball so you want to distribute the ball you want to be played fair. There's there -- certain code of ethics if you were on the on the basketball court especially in pick up because there's no refereeing."

" It is an honor code you have to call your -- found and you wanted to call."

" That's right you there there's several things that happen I mean everything from the way that teams get composed. To. There where you call your files and certain files that you do not call. No one will ever call an offensive follow you definitely won't ever see things like a 32 violation and Elaine. Those -- the technical rules that no one will ever. Call because somebody would say hey we think this is the NBA."

" That's clay Johnson he writes the blog Boller in chief Seigenthaler -- who -- pick up basketball we've also been speaking with Alex will senior writer for Sports Illustrated about basketball in the White House would be that they both gentleman. And later back to the news Obama's proposed tax changes has some charities nervous. Will wealthy people give less if they get less of -- tax deduction that's later. Plus the snow roller guy speaks we'll explain. Back in a minute here and now."

" Welcome back we can tell you about how -- all may or may not cheaper presidency we just heard. How basketball may have won Barack Obama's some votes but also has the potential to lose him votes in parts of the country. And a wonderful animal wife Michelle Obama reportedly sent Obama into a pickup game with her brother. Former college player now college coach Craig Robinson before she seriously consider. Dating him. We -- time with Claude Johnson he started a blog Boller in chief of Boller again being the pick up player. We're also talking to Alex will senior writer for Sports Illustrated whose recent article is entitled the audacity of hoops and tried to get to the bottom of whether or not a man's play. Has anything to do with his presidency. And Alex to a lot of people who compare Barack Obama to different players. Claude was quoted as saying he saw the elegance an even temper of the San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker in Barack Obama others say. They -- little Kenny Anderson a little Delonte West. As you write without the neck tattoos. But a brother -- comes up with Lenny Wilkens is the hall of Famer what does that mean do you."

" I think it's it's the old school. Part of the equation he learned the game on the streets he had a fine collegiate career and could procreate and he became a player coach and went into the Hall of -- really a community organizer I mean let's get right down to what it is on. That's what Lenny Wilkins a clear coaches that really and it really did pick up players somebody who kind commands the cord and can. Bring order to the chaos and we'll find ways to bring people together and resolve conflicts. Plus Lenny -- is left handed. Plus he has kinda upright carriage. Now I know client has his own case to be made for Tony Parker -- Tony Parker has. A very clever ball handling game and the little clips on -- TV conceive the president playing ball he has a lovely way of drilling Lowe and and getting freer giving it quick step in Italy and get a basket."

" Well any never loses his cool and it has and you know as anyone has said but this getting awfully fawning can. Turn into. -- away where we might well you know. Make this a more complicated story you know at a little more Shakespearean characters -- Barack Obama as a basketball player and -- maybe I see it. We in his playing it -- how. His high school. Wearing his college. You know didn't think that he was as good as maybe Barack Obama thought he was. -- It sounds like Alex you're -- brought about it didn't take that affect led a contingent of players to campaign for more playing time. With this time in his life remaining Barack Obama he needed to be taken down a peg or two and understand it was like the nineteen."

" Well yeah he was a headstrong. Guy who had a street -- he's really been self taught he hung out on the playgrounds."

" He liked to stay in and it'll lean into following its use of very individualistic player playing for a a coach who believe instructor who was getting great results doing it his way so there really was no place."

" For the young -- bomb on -- that team other than as a practice player. And to be fair to him he he lead that contingent into the coach's office in part on behalf of those teammates -- was very close to the end of the bench crew. But he has he has admitted that his -- high school coach --"

" Was right that the he wasn't quite as good as soon as he believed in his own mind at the end to watch his style -- Into this a little flashes of his old street pedigree but pretty buttoned up style game here. In a -- forties it is decision may be he believed would coach Mack incidentally that."

" Well well and is alone in the army detail where I think on the campaign in 2004 -- and senator. From Illinois. He goes back to his school and there's his old coach coach -- in the stands and he's able to say to him you're right. And that coached city -- the week following from the shoulders because he's got all you know that we may get damaged kids. This -- up playing in high school."

" Well imagine if you -- head coach the future president of the United States and high school monopoly and and I played and then wonder what'd I miss in this -- leadership qualities whatever and Mike Dee. But if you really want to stick the needle into."

" Into the new president I think that grounds on which to do it is what he wears when he plays he wears these goofy sweat pants and usually a great teacher and."

" There is a Chicago sports columnists is theorized that he's very self conscious about skinny legs and doesn't want anybody to see them."

" I think it's because he's got tattoos Alex. Would clutter nephew. Alec did you say something -- about how -- isn't sort of an uptight. Almost why I think he's an Alex com way to the president every now and then you see some streets. You might think that does four or African Americans in particular basketball players there in very particular. Who watch Barack Obama when they see glimpses of something else from him on the court."

" now you've nailed it right because. When we were growing up and I'm roughly about a year older than Barack Obama but. When we were growing up it was always. Boston Celtics or Los Angeles Lakers. So you have to decide -- going to be more Celtics which is Larry Bird which is Kevin McKay though in. It's sort of let's call it wide in votes yes or my going to be showtime lakers. The black thing. And I think that. When you go into politics I mean obviously mainstream there's a reason. Why Barack Obama succeeded. Because he had to play both of those he had to show glimpses of lakers. But he also had to show look I get the fundamentals I understand that the groundwork in the the practice and the technical aspect in the science of the game and I think that win. When voters began to see that he had some basketball skills that all of a sudden Soledad okay. We weren't sure we could trust this this brother right we weren't sure. Now all of a sudden. What he's got a basketball skills so he's kind of he must be down."

" Well client zone -- you have the less thought you'd go to so -- today. That you feel that -- Obama playing basketball is a matter of national security."

" Because guess what I think that. Look the president has to remain clear in his thinking. And he has to be calm and cool and collected. And he said that what does that for him -- basketball. So if I get called to the White House down an invitation to play basketball. Then my ability to play. Therefore is a matter of national security because if -- show up and I can't play and that means he can't play his full game and that could potentially. Impact that country in the rest of the world changed."

" I was Leno went -- life as we know it yet. That's -- Johnson he started the blog -- chief but also runs the website black five dot com it documents the history of African American basketball prior to the integration. -- And we've also seen Alex -- Sports Illustrated his recent articles and titled the audacity of proves. -- want to thank you both thank you very much. Okay looking ahead next week on here now over 300 ransom kidnappings took place in Phoenix Arizona last year that more Americans know about this next week. Still ahead today Doris Kearns Goodwin on -- here of the student."

" Here and it's hard to describe bad economic headlines when there have been so many but today the country's gauge of its economic engine in the GDP. Had its biggest drop in 25 years translation the amount of things Americans produced dropped by 187. Billion dollars. From the third to the fourth quarter last year. On Wall Street that news in the S&P 500 below what analysts had previously said was the bottom. And in this climate nonprofits homeless shelters arts organizations public radio trying to figure out the impact of president Obama's new budget. Under his proposal wealthier Americans could get lessen the tax break on the money they donate to charities here's what CNBC's Maria Bartiromo found that."

" There are such unintended consequences in this first to look charitable contributions get ready for those to go off a class because you are not going to get the tax write off that you -- in terms of you know charitable contributions."

" Is that true some research shows tax breaks aren't the reason wealthy people make donations Stacy Palmer is editor of the chronicle of philanthropy. -- the first of well can you explain how the president's proposed change in tax deductions will work we know that. Wealthier people -- 33 to 35% tax bracket so. You know would take a donation explain that."

" Right so if you're getting a 100000 dollars for example you get write off 35000 so it doesn't cost so much when you're making. Terrible -- people give more as a result. And -- limited to something like 28%. Than they get to -- 28 -- and so that's you know 7000 dollars or so that they won't be able to write off of their. Acts as if not eliminating the tax break it's just meeting that they can Atlanta."

" Well and -- journalists interviewed a lot of people. What would they --"

" There's a mixed reaction instead what kind of -- this will be and in part it depends on what I just Turkish you're talking about. Colleges hospitals museums those kind of organizations so -- a lot of money from wealthy people they may be affected a lot more attention kitchen -- Homeless shelters domestic violence -- those kind of places that we've money largely from lots of people who -- have a lot of money don't really worry about taxes and they're giving. That I -- a look at their -- different parts of the -- have to get dramatically different ways."

" Well and what version you quoted Robert -- a fundraising expert in Memphis. -- New York Times that many of the wealthiest donors are already limited to deductions of 28%. Because of the Alternative Minimum Tax to explain that."

" Yes indeed there's a lot of complicated taxes that go on when -- kept in terrible campaign. And basically people want to be sure that everyone is taking the right kind tax deductions until the people talk a little early to talk. And so that limitation means that some people already are facing this plummeted terminology -- 20% tax break. Com so this isn't even -- so it's more of the idea that. That terrible detachment being changed and maybe not valued so much and the practical --"

" we hear from other researchers in the Serena who say that. Tax deductions on weight on the list of the reasons that the very wealthy give to organizations. They genuinely love organizations and want to invest in them."

" It's -- certain extent that the amount that people is usually is affected by the attacks versus the decision to give people try to get control of the organization. But -- they know that they Connecticut -- tax break and take some money especially if there. Affluent but not incredibly rich a lot of people actually affluent not very rich -- stated it's father's stock -- Account and are worried about losing their god for those kind of people may decide I'm just not gonna get this much it's not worked. And at a time when -- is really pushing dramatic increase in demand for all kinds of services sisters and a great time."

" You put a Chicago lawyer who -- charities are facing a triple whammy the recession this proposed tax. Deduction limit and also increased taxes for the wealthy under the same plan announced by Barack Obama. On the other hand if these -- Philanthropic people. Will they make he equation that the tax break they're not getting that 7000 on a 100000 dollars is going to go into health care for people really --"

" Many people will understand the cold and some people may change their habits I don't think that's terrible could include them. They quit because wealthy people to elect candidates -- responsibility can't."

" Stacy Palmer with a very charitable view a philanthropist she's editor of the chronicle of philanthropy Stacy thanks so much. Well let's take a couple of minutes now for some of your thoughts and we hear from many view after a visit with DC miners. Whose family was the first black family to move into Levittown Pennsylvania in 1957. Sparking race rise there it's one of the recommended stories that are web site. Louise -- he's of Shanksville Pennsylvania writes I attended first grade with the oldest Myers boy blue was unaware of the ugly behavior taking place at the time. Thank you for shining -- light in this important history which happened literally in my backyard. Remember yesterday's piece on the music mix of the Somerville Massachusetts communication director Tom champion snow."

" Yeah."

" Comes on the line and Tommy -- noted. These are not robo calls as I said to residents this is a high technology. That enables you to do what."

" Org which is a different technology than the old perverse not -- one system which could take our worst cold city the -- Somerville. This is what's called a mass notification system and it allows us to call the whole city of about 30000. Phone numbers and emails is and we know ten to fifteen minutes."

" As you know a lot of people found it amusing that Somerville has this odd side of the street parking requirement and during snow alerts so that the plows conclude the even side. Since we know than in other towns they don't give you any notice in your cars are towed. And in neighboring Medford then switch on a yearly basis one year they parked on the onside when you're they -- on the even side. And you heard from some people in Medford."

" That's right there is a group in Redford near the Somerville line who have written to the mayor in the past suggesting that they want to. Actually receive from Medford enjoying Somerville because we do such good job of getting the word out personal emergencies. And because actually -- think we do a better job of getting national national streets."

" In time we have desk we understand your color became so popular it inspired a FaceBook page."

" First I -- up there was a FaceBook group called bistro chicken from the city of Somerville. Then there was a lot of commentary and on the locals were the journal website they had a -- comes smack down. Where people contribute -- about the phenomenon of emergency calls."

" Come on Tom is in fact that you are Tom championed. Deliver of this Millard."

" There's no question that Martin and play a big role in national perished -- people up are. Quite that I am an actor and person. Because Bill Clinton. Forty. Resident -- plans to their cars before they go to bed. Put additional information please call -- constituent service lines like hello hello. Hello hello."

" And finally after we reported on the death of twelve year old hunter poked the fourth -- in the US this year to succumb to the flu. Doctor rose French executive director of the international horn society wrote to say. Over closely with hunter's father can he owns a horn restoration shop and performs regularly with the Boston symphony. I told a fund -- to purchase an instrument for deserving student here in Phoenix Arizona. And can donated two instruments. Now to students in the Phoenix area has great instruments from the very selfless individual. I told my students this week about his son. And one who received the donated instruments said. I mean my instrument hunter after -- side. 1900 to 19 -- before he was a man of the people. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a privileged Harvard student. He lived in splendor here at what's now Harvard's Adam's house the only mention that a bronze plaque will. Now the newly formed FDR foundation wants to change that they want to restore the FT ER rooms to their original glory. To the -- historian Doris Kearns good financial here. Michael -- on his president of the FDR -- foundation Harvard alone and former host of PBS -- the victory carton. We met him outside what was the upscale west Morley court when FDR -- the."

" Well it's brick and stone -- all car lines. -- with a fountain here in the in the door bubbling away. The clock which is now timing at saint Paul's next door there's -- clock built into the walls these huge bay windows and iron work. It's exactly what you would expect to the high end Victorian apartment. These were palatial accommodations for Harvard students at the time complete with pool and fountain and marbles -- pretty spectacular."

" And we're going down a hall will you describe this would work this is traditional heavy walnut paneling on this marble tile --"

" Okay so here we are at number."

" This was in FDR's time between seven."

" And his plaque the first thing we see them coming in since Franklin Delano Roosevelt lived in this room 19194. Student in Harvard University as you see in this very high luxury we're standing in the tournament has fourteen foot ceilings. Working fireplace large French stores with a small balcony. Two bedrooms fairly ample again with fourteen foot ceilings. Central heating which was accused luxury at the times is one of the few buildings on campus that had essentially. It's been so closed -- you feel like you're breathing the air that he -- Well that plan for the restoration it's really restored you're gonna walk in the store and it's going to look as if it looked in nineteen three. I've seen -- sketch it's quite ornate what it's gonna look like. Unlike. Interior that you would expect in any house today I mean every wall is covered with pictures. Every surfers. With nick -- the palate is very bright the current -- Hale floors and white walls recently this would've been for a million to mask. The floors would have been covered with drugs not just one but rugs upon -- runners on top of oriental carpets. Sculptures bronzes. You know gas like this is still lit with gas and electricity in those days double fixtures so that you could like either one because electricity wasn't reliable. Can we see the bathroom."

" We hearing. However its famous team if that. If we are at the presidential seat. That -- complete with -- though it did it actually still have to right. And that's it opened down it goes. This was he yes this is the original bathroom. It never got renovated and Michael the other student room so we still have all these original fixtures it still has its original finishes. A little worse for wear but you know hundred years later it's not doing too badly."

" So this is the sink it's like a marble topped sync with two. What are its copper. Covers biggest this is the sink when Houston -- this is this inquiry stood and saved and behind me is the -- a tub he would assassinated in this town and in those days showers we're not very common things he had a sort of a French and the system and you sent into your daily -- Okay let's move on to -- larger area. Why is this project so important to you because it's FTR I mean think about it. How many times do you actually get to walk into -- room and spend time unsupervised. In a place. That -- presidential associations. I mean normally you're walking through with a park ranger or -- ropes velvet ropes and everything is going to be you know tied offer cordoned off. This -- accommodations. The guests of the university FDR scholars people can come and we'll stay here. In the same bedroom that FDR slipped and I mean I don't think there's anywhere in the world which you can do that."

" Well she's not listening what was Doris Kearns Goodwin like when she first came in here."

" But she was that. Hi this is amazing here we are in the footsteps that same feeling I have it's thinking here we are. He was sitting in his chair studying the things that made him the man that he eventually turned out to be."

" Michael Rishon president of the FDR sweet foundation to see pictures of their plan go to our website huge national dot org and we come back. Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin on standing more FDR --"

" Support for here and now comes in part from the school foundation supporting social entrepreneur -- around the world uncommon heroes dedicated to the common good. Learn more at school dot org."

" Welcome back we -- FDR's most famous saying from his 1933 inaugural the only thing we have to fear fear itself and what was that --"

" Nameless honoring of -- I'm just divided Tara. Which. Let me get out but. Don't -- convert read -- and thought about."

" But as a -- does that speech was Roosevelt's fellow Harvard alone is hated his new deal proposals and as a student. He was a lot like them he lived in an elaborately furnished suite of rooms at west morally court now Adam's house. But after a plaque was put on the wall it was used for office space never renovated in fact few people knew was there. Including Pulitzer prize winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin who went to grad school and taught at Harvard in the late sixties. The FDR sweet foundation has now -- Doris in their quest to restore FDR's -- Harvard. When she arrived in the slightly worn suite which she's just recently seen we asked who was FDR when he lived there."

" Well first of all he was tall and stand somewhat -- He would come from Groton grunt and a boy's school a special private school an aristocratic background the -- with him to Harvard. So that that person that we knew later on who understood people who had also been dealt that Hanssen life. Had had a much more privileged life up until that point so was he viewed by his Harvard classmates. Well first of others still lies that charming side of his personality so the people who got to now and could see that warmth that good fellowship. But there was sadness is here for him at Harvard he did not get into the port selling -- the very very fancy club and everybody wanted to get into and much later in his life said. That it was one of the sadness is that he never got over which is not so I mean he's president United States leader of the allied world is still remember but I guess when you're an adolescent those things -- deeply the percent in club was -- for selling club was one of those clubs that you had to have a certain pedigree to get into that you also had to be chosen. By its members with these elaborate ceremonies I mean they would give you certain knocks on the door you'd be out on the street and they would call your name. And he got into other clubs that are almost equally prestigious -- He was the captain of the freshman football teams and he was very active in his typical -- but that was the one her opening. Is isn't opinion that here -- he would look. Yes see the hair the hair -- this painting that we're looking at now would -- partying in the middle coming down on either side I mean a very good looking man -- On but without somehow that sense. Stature that he developed lenders that when I see the pictures of him now versus the pictures of him when he's president. It seems to me very different man and I think the reason for that is that. Eleanor Roosevelt's and that after polio in some ways it transformed him that it made him more serious more focused more concentrated. Much more able to be sensitive to other people's needs he's always cared about people she said but now people -- his main lifeline to life. So he became a much more open person tonight. -- student was he here but they called him a gentleman's c.'s student which was actually not a bad students gather in today's world that might -- IP students. But when you came from that act and that she did you weren't supposed to be you grind. I mean interestingly when Teddy Roosevelt was here before FDR. And he would say that he was actually second among the people from his class which meant he was like 21 in the class. But all the people before him came from non aristocratic background it's so he -- the number he -- exactly counted the people that were his people and in that group there was only one ahead of them. So in that sense I mean -- meant to enjoy your subjects and the great thing about FDR is that even though. It wasn't that he became a great student and intellectuals on. Whatever he read -- later said he remembered he could pick up a book and say yes I read that in college. Turn to the page and then recite what was on that page so evidently had a terrific memory is said that when he took the philosophy course he didn't like that at all which makes completes and since he was a man who like to think practical terms what can I do explain things to the people in the most simple language he wouldn't like that high -- kind of language."

" And how to use somehow mean to the research that you do. These people come alive for you and you know I can -- now you're speaking as if you knew FDR in college in 1900. What is it in here that helps you feel this man you've researched I think there's something."

" Magic whenever -- step foot in a place where the person that you're researching actually lived in -- When I was seven years old my parents took me to Hyde Park. And I remember seeing the desk of FDR's and he had his glasses on it and his cigarette holder and I turned my parents -- camped down at his left his glasses hearing has come back and get them. And that's the wonderful thing I think about recreating this room it means that both students at Harvard and people coming to visit this room. We'll see that aspect of FDR's life. And incredibly Harvard has done so little to memorialize FDR's memory. Teddy Roosevelt has a whole library. Girl of his papers our house is a plaque for Teddy Roosevelt JFK has the school of public affairs named after him plus this week where he lived. And FDR perhaps the greatest of these president's. On this is the first time he's really except for a plaque that said that this was his room it's about time for FDR."

" But we should say. So little actually. Home. Warned you know still the rundown on you know I mean it's it is surprising that there had been more attention paid these -- it really is because."

" You know when you think about what even the other Harvard students have gone their legions of them since FDR. If this room had been set aside even after he died for example. And been kept at that point in the fashion that you hope to. You would hope that some other student might have coming here I thought my god this is the man who led the allied forces to victory in World War II this is the man took us to the depression. But maybe now is the right time for this I mean FDR's back in people's minds so much given that. Recession that we're going through now in so many remembrances of that great confident leadership that he gave us from his first inaugural. At the time of the anniversary of World War II it seemed that finally he had come around to being respected by Republicans and Democrats alike. Mean that was part of his heritage here at Harvard as well because when he came back for the big anniversary the 300 anniversary in 1936. He was considered by many in his class a traitor to his class because of all it -- new deal regulations. So there was a sense in which there was a lot of disrespect shown for him at that time. But even then that optimistic gregarious nature still love target despite the fact -- hurt him several times along the --"

" been -- since you bring this up but I do when askew we ping pong back and forth between analysts on the program who say. It's all the spending during the new deal that helped the US pull out of that depression. And others including pirates' Neil Ferguson say no and no this is different time and by the way it wasn't the spending. During the new deal that helped it was World War II that actually. Pulled us out of the depression which you come down what did happen in your mind even though it's true the depression didn't fully come to an end until World War II started. People who lived during the 1930s were enormously helped by his programs they got through that decade as a result. Whether it was the work projects administration the federal theater project and jobs that were provided so you live in the short term. And I remember when I was teaching here and there was a time of a lot of radical liberalism and some student. The upper -- that but it didn't and the depression. -- of people live in the short term they don't live in the long to remember that argument even access meaning that you know and helped them in 1936 even if it didn't and the depression until years -- absolutely and if we had fallen apart during the thirties if we have moved toward communism fascism. And meanwhile and you had Hitler in Europe what would we have been in terms of being ready to fight World War II. So even if it just kept people going during that period and didn't bring back the full private flowering of industry. But yet they were still alive still enthusiastic still energetic and ready to be mobilized for war. And to fight patent war that's huge accomplished."

" Yeah. Pulitzer prize winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin speaking about FDR. And the FDR sweet Foundation's efforts to restore his rooms at Harvard University. By the way the song from the 1930s musical was his campaign song talk about optimism. To see a picture of the plant the FDR rooms go to our website here dancing around on board. He announced production and WBUR Boston our production team includes banana I Don Kevin Sullivan and become the -- Mandela Alex ash lucky -- and still Ryan. -- should it is our technical director Jim -- link helped out today thanks Jim -- producers and Georgia interns Jesse -- and Hillary Niles. I'm managing editors Chris -- and the senior producer here now is Kathleen you guys are giving -- academic cannot I'm running young please join us again here and now."

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