[Gerald] Ford and [Jimmy] Carter, in fact, were huge disappointments to me. Think about this: They were the presidents around the time of America's historic bicentennial, and yet rarely quoted the founders. — Paul Kengor Copy Share Image
When [Jimmy] Carter did quote them, he quoted them in what I believe were misapplications, such as arguing for the creation of a federal Department of Education. In one case, Carter quoted [Tomas] Jefferson's and [George] Washington's appreciation of education… — Paul Kengor Copy Share Image
The American founding is not just about a group of people, a group of men. It is about an ideal: Both a vision and… — Paul Kengor Copy Share Image
Maybe the most interesting find in my research is that it is clear that Ronald Reagan, among all modern presidents, plainly rediscovered the founders. — Paul Kengor Copy Share Image
“Only when people are free to worship, create, and build, only when they can decide their destiny and benefit from their own risks—only then… — Paul Kengor Copy Share Image
As has been reported, and is unmistakably evident to all but the most naïve, federal employees have been ordered to exploit this crisis, to… — Paul Kengor Copy Share Image
It is quite sad, to me, that that ideal, that vision and understanding [of American founding ], doesn't seem to be a part of… — Paul Kengor Copy Share Image
The presidents varied in the degree to which they cited the founders. Some, like JFK, LBJ, [Richard] Nixon, and [Bill] Clinton, cited them somewhat… — Paul Kengor Copy Share Image
I was a child or didn't live through those presidents prior to [Ronald] Reagan, and thus didn't realize how little attention they had paid… — Paul Kengor Copy Share Image
In the middle of Hillary Clinton's push for national healthcare in 1993, Bill Clinton cited Thomas Jefferson's concern for health issues as, somehow, apparently… — Paul Kengor Copy Share Image
If our presidents, or potential presidents, don't know this or don't articulate [an America ideal], that's a blown opportunity. The president can teach as… — Paul Kengor Copy Share Image
“Only in the detached from reality world of goofy Hollywood and modern academia could a mass murderer like Che Guevara be turned into something… — Paul Kengor Copy Share Image
Throughout American history our presidents have invoked our nation's founding fathers. This is particularly true of recent presidents. — Paul Kengor Copy Share Image
Which founders have these presidents cited - and why? What did, say, President [Ronald] Reagan's view of George Washington, or President [Bill] Clinton's view… — Paul Kengor Copy Share Image
![“[Gerald] Ford and [Jimmy] Carter, in fact, were huge disappointments to me. Think about this: They were the presidents around the time of America's historic bicentennial, and yet rarely quoted the founders.” quote by Paul Kengor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9dc/paul-kengor-14302_america_gerald-ford-and-jimmy-carter-in-fact-wer_1418880.jpg)
![“When [Jimmy] Carter did quote them, he quoted them in what I believe were misapplications, such as arguing for the creation of a federal Department of Education. In one case, Carter quoted [Tomas] Jefferson's and [George] Washington's appreciation of education and then, in a leap, implied that…” quote by Paul Kengor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2e3/paul-kengor-14302_appreciation_when-jimmy-carter-did-quote-them-he-quot_2071113.jpg)
![“It is quite sad, to me, that that ideal, that vision and understanding [of American founding ], doesn't seem to be a part of the current political season.” quote by Paul Kengor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a05/paul-kengor-14302_currents_it-is-quite-sad-to-me-that-that-ideal-th_399953.jpg)
![“The presidents varied in the degree to which they cited the founders. Some, like JFK, LBJ, [Richard] Nixon, and [Bill] Clinton, cited them somewhat frequently, in the range of 100 to 200 times, though, regrettably, not in a thematic or notably profound or even interesting way. Others, like Gerald…” quote by Paul Kengor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9e3/paul-kengor-14302_bills_the-presidents-varied-in-the-degree-to-w_424735.jpg)
![“I was a child or didn't live through those presidents prior to [Ronald] Reagan, and thus didn't realize how little attention they had paid to the founders.” quote by Paul Kengor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/38b/paul-kengor-14302_attention_i-was-a-child-or-didn-t-live-through-tho_602258.jpg)
![“If our presidents, or potential presidents, don't know this or don't articulate [an America ideal], that's a blown opportunity. The president can teach as well as lead.” quote by Paul Kengor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2c6/paul-kengor-14302_america_if-our-presidents-or-potential-president_708330.jpg)
![“Which founders have these presidents cited - and why? What did, say, President [Ronald] Reagan's view of George Washington, or President [Bill] Clinton's view of Thomas Jefferson, tell us about their view of America and where they intended to lead the country?In many cases, it told us a lot about…” quote by Paul Kengor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/35c/paul-kengor-14302_america_which-founders-have-these-presidents-cit_968419.jpg)