Roosevelt vs. Wilson

McCain and Obama have a lot in common with two former presidents | Marvin Olasky

Illustration by Krieg Barrie

Barack Obama claims that he is a new breeze, but he is actually a throwback to Woodrow Wilson both in his policies on many issues and in his manner of thinking and speaking. John McCain implies that he is a throwback to Theodore Roosevelt, "my great hero and role model," and both his policies and his style show that he is self-aware.

Wilson was born in 1856 and Roosevelt on Oct. 27, 1858, making this month the 150th anniversary of his birth. A few hardy souls still visit TR's birthplace on 20th St. in Manhattan, a brownstone that was his home until age 14. Guides there talk about the esteem Roosevelt had for his father, whom he called "the best man I ever knew."

McCain's autobiography, Faith of My Fathers, shows his veneration for his father and grandfather, both of whom were Navy admirals. But Obama, who grew up without a dad's presence, emphasizes newness rather than tradition: "We are the change we have been waiting for. . . . I am confident that we can create a Kingdom right here on Earth."