There is a one hour episode of The Twilight Zone called "He's Alive" where a mysterious figure appears to a young fascist agitator played by Dennis Hopper to give advice that reminds me of Brand's description of Machiavelli appearing to Obama to give advice. In "The Twilight Zone" episode the mysterious figure is revealed as Adolf Hitler. Great episode about terrible men.

3:32, if you don't care to hear yet another introduction

Excellent lecture and point. I agree with Brands' argument that in theory and in practice, a great president is loved by the people and feared by the congress. But, like he states, this isn't always the case. George W. Bush's executive power and administration was feared by the congress but had substantial approval shortly following 9/11 and the Iraq war. Bill Clinton had good approvals and was feared by the republican congress. Reagan could speak directly to the American people to subvert the democratic controlled congress. FDR could speak directly to the people to subvert reactionary congress and so on

good work

Brands gets a lot of mileage out of his standard introductory remarks.

yee haw

I am not sure I agree with mr Brands his analysis on the Petticoataffair.