CLEVELAND — Politicos from across the country have invaded Cleveland for this week’s Republican National Convention.
Once again, the state of Ohio will bask in the political spotlight it occupies every four years. Not only does Ohio often influence who ends up in the White House: It’s also nicknamed “The Mother of Presidents” for its record eight commander-in-chiefs.
But none of those Ohioans have a library in Cleveland.
Instead, it belongs to a New Yorker — sort of.
The Millard Fillmore Presidential Library, a dive bar located east of downtown, opened 15 months ago.
The unique enterprise includes a depiction of the 13th president on Mount Rushmore, Mr. Fillmore’s appearance in an Andy Warhol-inspired artwork, and, of course, the signage adorning the women’s restroom that says “First Ladies.”
So, why the name?
“I’ve probably heard that question 1,000 times,” said Jim Caldwell, who operates the bar with his wife, Stephanie. “The concept was not really to poke fun at him, but to bring attention. He doesn’t have a library and he’s always ranked in the bottom three or five presidents. People can say they’re at the library when they were actually at a bar. It was all whimsical. Poor Millard never gets any press.”
Mr. Fillmore served as president from 1850-1853, succeeding Zachary Taylor, who died in office. Mr. Fillmore was ranked 37th out of 43 presidents in 2015 by the American Political Science Association.
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On the back wall of the bar is a collage of the Holy Trinity of bad presidents — No. 12 Taylor, No. 13 Fillmore, and No. 14 Franklin Pierce. The triumvirate is perhaps the worst three presidents in succession. Among the drinks offered, you can order a Fillmore Manhattan, 21st Amendment, Fireside Chat, or a Jackie O’s Firefly Amber.
The phone number even ends in WHIG, as in 9444. Mr. Fillmore was the last Whig to be president.
Despite being one of America’s least-known presidents, he does have fans who send memorabilia to the bar.
Former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee was invited to the bar by Mr. Caldwell’s brother because the former Arkansas governor is a musician. The Fillmore has live music every week.
And because it’s a bar — and a presidential library — politics is a popular subject.
If the patrons of the Millard Fillmore Presidential Library are any indication, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton might not garner enough votes to secure the election.
“I never thought I would live to see two of the stupidest people that you have to choose from to be freaking president. It amazes me,” said Sterling Wilson, 61. “They’re both terrible. One is out of his mind and the other I don’t trust her as far as I can throw her, and I couldn’t even pick her up.”
Mr. Wilson said for the first time since he was of voting age he will not vote in the presidential election. George Vukmanovich will vote; he just hasn’t decided on a candidate yet. But it will not be Mr. Trump or Mrs. Clinton.
He’s narrowed his final two to Green Party candidate Jill Stein and Sen. Bernie Sanders, who would have to be a write-in vote.
“It’s the most disgusting election that I have ever seen,” Mr. Vukmanovich said. “I’m 69 years old and I never thought the Republican and Democratic parties could sink so low as to have a blowhard, Donald Trump, and a woman who is crooked, Hillary Clinton. The Clintons are so corrupt — all of them. Bill, Hillary, and that daughter of theirs are so corrupt that when they’re dead they’ll have to screw them into the ground.”
By comparison, maybe Mr. Fillmore deserves his place atop South Dakota’s iconic keystone.
Contact Kyle Rowland at: krowland@theblade.com, 419-724-6282, or on Twitter @KyleRowland.
First Published July 20, 2016, 4:00 a.m.
