Wish I'd said that - April 27, 2018

"In his 1906 Recollections of 13 Presidents, John Sergeant Wise, who had met Pierce, tells of the reaction of a lifelong acquaintance of Pierce’s when he learned the man had won the presidency. ‘Now Frank’s a good fellow, I admit,’ the elderly man said, ‘and I wish him well. He made a good state’s attorney, thar’s no doubt about that, and he made a far judge, thar’s no denying that, and nobody kain’t complain of him as a congressman. But when it comes to the whole Yewnited States, I dew say that in my jedgement Frank Pierce is agoin’ to spread durned thin.'"

Cynthia Crossen in James Taranto and Leonard Leo, eds., Presidential Leadership