Testing the Limits

Mark J. Rozell is professor of public policy at George Mason University. He is widely published and his most recent works include: The New Politics of the Old South: An Introduction to Southern Politics, 4th edition (co-editor, R&L, 2009), Media Power, Media Politics, 2nd edition (co-editor, R&L, 2008), Catholics and Politics: The Dynamic Tension Between Faith and Power (co-author, Georgetown UP, 2008), Power and Prudence: The Presidency of George H.W. Bush (co-author, Texas A&M UP, 2004).Gleaves Whitney is director of Grand Valley State University's Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies, a position he has held since 2003. During his tenure he has been the architect of more than 100 programs, including two national conferences covered by C-SPAN and two live Webcasts to more than 3,500 viewers in 18 countries. He established the Hauenstein Center's Website (www.allpresidents.org) and premiered a popular Web column called 'Ask Gleaves'—the first presidential Q&A column in the nation.

A fascinating account of a controversial presidency. George W. Bush entered office in the distrustful aftermath of a disputed election, and he left office amid the uncertainty of two unfinished wars and an incipient depression; but in between he managed to accomplish more—for better and worse—than almost anyone had thought possible. Mark Rozell, Gleaves Whitney, and the scholars they have enlisted explain how this happened, and what it still means. Required reading for any serious student of the modern presidency.

• 2 Table of Contents3 AcknowledgmentsChapter 4 IntroductionPart 5 I. Analyzing the Bush PresidencyChapter 6 1. The Evolution of the George W. Bush PresidencyChapter 7 2. The Bush Staff and Cabinet SystemChapter 8 3. George W. Bush's Domestic Policy AgendaChapter 9 4. How George W. Bush Remade Foreign Policy AgendaChapter 10 5. The Deficit Redux: Budget Politics during the Bush AdministrationChapter 11 6. The Anatomy of a Divorce: Conservatives versus George W. BushPart 12 II. Presidential Powers and the Bush PresidencyChapter 13 7. War Powers and the Bush AdministrationChapter 14 8. Bush and the War Power: A Critique from the OutsideChapter 15 9. Bush as Commander in ChiefChapter 16 10. Executive Privilege: The Bush Record and LegacyChapter 17 11. Bush's Greatest Legacy? The Federal Courts and the Republican RegimeChapter 18 12. George W. Bush and the Imperial Presidency19 Index20 About the Authors