bob_sauve28

Pat LaFontaine

I just finished "Dewey Defeats Truman" about the 1948 election Truman was supposed to lose. It was written by A.J. Baime Harry Truman was very unpopular following FDR's death. Post War Inflation was souring the electorate's mood on him, even as he was pushing through some of the most important foreign policy moves our country has ever made, the Truman Doctrine to confront the communist menace and the Marshall Plan to fight the communist by improving the economy of war torn Europe. Truman's opponent was none other than our very governor, Thomas Dewey, a Liberal Republican who in the past had broken the mob and the rackets in NYC where everything from milk to artichokes had a 10% mark up because of gangsters. Dewey took them apart. Dewey had lost in 1944 to FDR but was considered a shoe in against the apparently much weaker Truman. By 1948 the Democrats had had the WH for the past sixteen years but the Republicans had taken back both houses of congress in 1946. This Congress had passed all of the foreign policy stuff on a bi-partisan manner, but on domestic policy the congress rejected all of Truman's liberal, New Deal like, proposals. The stage was set for an epic election battle that Truman would succeed in making about the issues. Also running was a splinter group from the Democrats, the very strange, though, apparently incredibly smart and talented, Henry Wallace. I say "smart" but do not mean it in a political sense, Wallace was a wiz kid with some type of agricultural stuff. He had been FDR's VP until 1944, when Truman replaced him, and he had not forgotten that. He hated Harry! He also hated our foreign policy which he claimed was provoking the Russian bear. He apologized for Stalin, said the Marshall Plan was imperialism and other crap, all while the Berlin Airlift was heroically underway. He was also--as were Dewey and Truman--a champion of Civil Rights, and he attracted a lot of black and radical left support, saying that if communist wanted to vote for him he would take their votes. Another party in the race, also a splinter group from the Democrats, was the States Rights Democratic Party led by Strom Thurmond. It was a racist party protesting Truman's Civil Right's plank, which Truman refused to back down on. Truman even used an executive order to de-segregate the military. The South was not happy at all! When Henry Wallace tried giving speeches in the south he was pelted with tomatos and eggs. It was the first time southern racism was on full display to many Americans. Truman opened the campaign with a roar. In a surprise move he called the 80th Congress back into session declaring that inflation, the housing shortages and other issues demanded bold and immediate action. He knew they wouldn't do anything, and they didn't disappoint Truman ran with it. His election campaign was not directed against Dewey, but against the 80th "Do-Nothing" Congress. He stormed the country by train, stopping at big cities and small towns alike and giving speeches where he bashed the 80th Congress for being controlled by the special interests. He pointed out again and again to the farmers that usually backed the Republicans that the 80th Congress had eliminated grain bins, that had stored grain when there was over supply. Now it was sold off at market price at a lower level. Truman won an unusually large number of famers. Dewey did not run an aggressive attack campaign. He did give a lot of speeches but was more about explaining what he was going to do when he won. He spent a much publicized afternoon with Dwight D. Eisenhower, looking presidential. Dewey did not want to make a mistake and felt he was going to win. The pollsters were so sure Dewey would win that they stopped polling a month out. This was the first time the Party conventions were broadcast live on TV. Everyone was shocked that Truman won. The Chicago Tribune published by mistake a headline declaring Dewey the winner. Strange to say, Dewey and Truman agreed on almost all the issues, but Truman just stuck it to the Congress he had worked so well with in foreign policy. Love and war.

I just hope we are "fine" with this. I can see a few injuries happening and we end up wishing we just kept him, but it is what it is

So this was an "addition by subtraction" move? I just wonder what this is going to look like a year from now. Edmonton seems fine with him.

He still had to put on a lot of weight, his weight gain diet program was a topic of discussion. Rosen still has time to grow, IMO

How was Tage Thompson doing at his age?

Au contraire!!!!! 🤣

Factor or no factor, its still wrong.

Hmmm...I dunno, worse than the bias against Power because he "isn't physical enough"? Pretty close if you ask me

That is an interesting take. Did not know he was so good on the forecheck. Also, I thought he had grown to 6'0"

Just this group alone is super intriguing: Draftees (10) - Helenius (14th overall 2024), Östlund (16th 2022), Kulich (28th 2022), Rosen (20th 2021), Wahlberg (39th 2023), It will be very interesting to see how this group does going forward. Over the next couple of years they might play a big role in determining wether the Sabres are a successful team or not. If they can get plugged into the line up and become solid NHL players who contribute that will obviously be a big plus. The disappointment will be palpable should they in whole or large part fizzle and be flops No clue if any get called up this year and help out or they all stay in Rochester and develop, but for a few of them its going to be put up or shut up time soon, though maybe not this year necessarily.

He still might pick off a target of opportunity. Probably what he is looking for, just hoping a situation develops that makes sense.

It would be a wild stroke of luck if the Sabres had two straight years of an 18 year old making the line up.

Brakes? You still use brakes? I just took mine off. Real men don't need brakes

And sign a few free agents, too

Will Rosen, Kulich and Östlund be playing? Or are they considered pros now?

Good thing about having guys like that on the team is that it shows the other guys what some have to do to get into and stay in the NHL. He has earned his place, for now, and the others will have to earn their place also

Is he a total free agent after two years?

Speed not as important as quickness. When I played hockey I always tried to stay in motion so I could accelerate as fast as possible. Top end speed is great, but that short burst to get to top speed or close short distance is so much better

Florida was like 11th in goals scored last season. So, while important, its not everything. Playing a total game is really what matters

Crazy! Sure seems like someone did their homework on this guy

Way to early to judge. Can't wait to see him and the other play. Seems like we add a man to the line up by trading a boy who can--in the long run--turn into a player, maybe. Have to make moves like this, especially with all we have in the pipeline

That Brad What's His Ass goal was the first time I suffered Sabre Shock. I just sat there for like five minutes looking at the screen in disbelief