Weekdays at 12noon on 770 AM: The Truth
 Michael Medved

The Many Loves of FDR

December 6, 2012 @ 12:36 pm

The new movie HYDE PARK ON HUDSON, with Bill Murray playing Franklin Roosevelt, is a flawed, frustrating melodrama but it raises important questions about historical perspective.

The movie dramatizes a 1939 visit by Britain's King and Queen to FDR's country estate while the wheelchair-bound president juggled demands of his wife, mother, and two adoring mistresses. Laura Linney plays a fifth cousin of the president who, according to many historians, became one of his several lovers during his last years. The film shows Roosevelt's callous treatment of these women and raises uncomfortable questions: how did he hide his caddish behavior while he was alive, and why do hero-worshiping history books mostly ignore his shortcomings?

As with President Kennedy, most chroniclers will overlook or obscure even the most irresponsible, contemptible conduct if it's perpetrated by a dashing liberal leader.

More Michael Medved

MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (11)


  • Add A Comment

  • halfshaft wrote...
    Michael, Michael, Michael.......
    December 6, 2012 12:00 pm
    ....it's a generally accepted fact by almost any historian of politics and/or journalism that in the days of FDR and even Kennedy, the media was far less interested in a President's personal shortcomings and more apt to turn a blind eye to indiscretions. And the book shelves today are loaded with books that detail all Presidents less-than-respectable behavior. Case in point: "A Question of Character", a very critical examination of JFK's many flaws, almost all of which were never reported on my the media of his day. (the author slips my mind right now0.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Frogsplash wrote...
    And Sally Hemings
    December 6, 2012 9:42 pm
    Has been buried by historians as well. You never hear much about it when you read on Jefferson. Washington is purported to have many mistresses as well. How about Kay Summersby? You never hear about her when you read on Eisenhower. It's not a "liberal" thing Michael.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Sally Hemings is far from forgotten.
    December 7, 2012 1:42 am
    Desendents each year of her and TJ (or his younger brother?) gather in family reunions. ... But remember that Sally and Tom's dead wife had the same father. .. Still a slave, but his late wife's sister.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    medved, I feel sorry for you.
    December 11, 2012 9:51 am
    You are spending that whole life of yours bothered by Liberals. Not even dead ones can give you peace. Lincons was gay and had a liv in boyfreind for years, but I am not bothered when people dont mention that every time his name is mentioned. Why do hate people so much?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }