WASHINGTON: Presidential traditions are usually known for their solemnity and carry the weight of future historical significance. This one began with cartoon turkeys and a reference to lunch.
As he was preparing to leave the White House in January 1989, President Ronald Reagan wanted to leave a note for his successor, George H.W. Bush, and reached for a pad emblazoned with a cartoon by humorist Sandra Boynton under the phrase, Dont Let the Turkeys Get You Down. It featured a collection of turkeys scaling a prone elephant, the symbol of both men’s Republican Party.
Dear George, Youll have moments when youll want to use this particular stationary. Well, go to it, Reagan scrawled. He noted treasuring the memories we share and said he’d be praying for the new president before concluding, “Ill miss our Thursday lunches. Ron.
Thus was born the tradition of departing presidents leaving a handwritten note in the Oval Office for their successors. The missives’ contents start off as…