The Presidency and Domestic Policy

About this book

"Each president brings to the White House a distinct set of personal characteristics and a preferred leadership style, but just how much have individual presidents shaped domestic policy? To understand and assess what factors determine one president's success and another's limited accomplishments, it is important to examine both the individual's leadership roles and the circumstances that shape opportunities for success. This book systematically examines the first terms of every president from FDR to Obama and assesses leadership style, the policy agenda, and the "political opportunity" facing each president. The success of each president in bringing about landmark legislation and other policy change is shown to hinge on the opportunities facing each president, his leadership style, and finally, his skill managing a variety of institutional and public relationships. Not all presidents are created equal, but some can implement strategies to overcome formidable obstacles, rising into the vaunted ranks of the "Great Presidents." The second edition of this timely book adds chapters on George W. Bush and Barack Obama and focuses on the significant domestic policy challenges of their respective times. Tax cuts, education policy, and homeland security are featured for the Bush era, while health care reform, economic policy initiatives, immigration, and gun control are highlights for Obama. Both offer insights into contemporary presidential leadership in a highly partisan age. In addition, the authors have reconfigured the analytical framework of the book to take into account the "dynamic opportunity structure" that emerged during the George W. Bush administration." -- Publisher's description.