Two interesting articles back to back from the July 2009 issue of Harper's: "Barrack Hoover Obama" and "Labors Last Stand"

It's strange but true: Barrack Obama and Herbert Hoover bear important similarities especially with regard to their abilities vis-a-vis the economic situations of their respective times. Even though Hoover was regarded as the most competent man for the job of president at the beginning of what came to be known as the Great Depression, he failed to stop it from deepening. Will Obama, widely regarded as one of the most capable leaders in the face of the depression we face now, also fail and do so for reasons much like those responsible for Hoover's failure? Two articles in the July 2009 issue of Harper's outline how and why he could fail and offer ways in which he might avoid mistakes like Hoover's.