President John Tyler’s grandson says Newt Gingrich is a 'jerk'

President John Tyler’s grandson, Harrison Tyler, is not very impressed with the 2012 Republican field or the sitting President. He claims Obama is a “charming man” but lacks the pro – business policies and attitude to attract his vote. Tyler does not support any of the Republican candidates yet but claims that he will cast a vote in the 2012 Presidential election.

What makes this interesting is that, if you know American political history, John Tyler served as President of the United States just 32 days after being elected Vice President when William Henry Harrison passed away. Harrison and Tyler ran with the slogan for their election as ‘Tippecanoe and Tyler too’; a reference to Harrison’s nickname from leading American forces against Indians at the Battle of Tippecanoe. They ran in the election of 1840 on the Whig Party ticket. Yes, you read that correct; 1840.

Harrison Tyler is President John Tyler’s grandson. President Tyler had a staggering 15 children during his lifetime and passed away in 1862. President Tyler had Harrison Tyler’s father, Lyon Gardiner Tyler, in 1853 and Lyon had Harrison in 1928. It is astounding that a grandson is still alive from a man who passed some 150 years ago. Perhaps it makes little sense but I appreciate Harrison Tyler’s opinion much more simply because he is less removed from the President.

President John Tyler’s grandson says Newt Gingrich is a 'jerk'
President John Tyler's grandchildren still alive