I’ve spent my life fighting bullies. I still believe there’s hope for America

‘The dome seemed to illuminate everything I was trying to do and vindicate the frustrations I felt, trying but often failing to keep the economic bullies at bay.’ Photograph: Larry Downing/Reuters

I was born on 24 June 1946, 10 days after the birth of Donald John Trump, 12 days before the birth of George Walker Bush, and 56 days before the birth of William Jefferson Blythe III, whose name was later changed to Bill Clinton.

I did not become president. but among my earliest memories is my grandmother, Minnie Reich, telling me that I would become president. I think she was trying to reassure herself that despite my being a runt, fully a head shorter than other little boys, I’d make her proud.