Plain English with Derek Thompson

Plain History: The Astonishingly Successful Presidency of James K. Polk

91 snips
Feb 21, 2025
Walter Borneman and Robert Merry, both accomplished authors on James K. Polk, dive deep into the surprisingly successful presidency of this often-overlooked leader. They explore Polk's bold goals, such as acquiring Oregon and California, and the complexities of the Mexican-American War. Discussions range from the political landscape of 1844 to the fervor of Manifest Destiny. With tantalizing insights, they assess the transformative impact of Polk’s presidency on American expansionism and identity, illustrating the gap between his achievements and modern perceptions.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Redefining Presidential Success

  • Defining presidential success as fully achieving all goals changes the contenders.
  • Washington, Lincoln, and FDR all faced setbacks that prevent them from being considered perfectly successful.
ANECDOTE

Polk's Accomplishments

  • James K. Polk achieved all four of his stated presidential goals.
  • These included acquiring Oregon and California, reducing tariffs, and establishing an independent treasury.
ANECDOTE

Borneman's Polk Biography

  • Walter Borneman initially intended to write about the election of 1844.
  • His research led him to write a biography of James K. Polk.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app