Obama in Office

James A. Thurber is Distinguished University Professor and Director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University. He is author or editor of numerous titles including, most recently, new editions of the classics, Rivals for Power: Presidential-Congressional Relations (2009) and (with Candice J. Nelson) Campaigns and Elections American Style: Transforming American Politics (2009).

"Has any modern president taken office amid higher hopes than Barack Obama did in 2008--only to face a 'shellacking' from the voters just two years later? In this volume, leading political scientists and thinkers examine the polarized public the new president faced, the way his personality has played in the Oval Office, his battles with lobbyists at home, and threats from abroad. With that, they offer a three-dimensional portrait of our 44th president--and important clues to his future." --Susan Page, Washington Bureau chief, USA TODAY “…exceptionally valuable for use in the undergraduate classes, precisely because they bring to bear scholarly analysis in an accessible way on political events that students should know from the news of the day.” --Russell L. Riley, The Miller Center of Public Affairs, University of Virginia "No observer of contemporary American politics can afford to ignore the contributions to this invaluable examination of the Obama presidency at midterm. Professor Thurber is to be commended for assembling such an outstanding cast of commentators." --Fred I. Greenstein, Princeton University “A stellar group of academics and practitioners provides a comprehensive overview of Obama’s relations with the other parts of government, the media, and the public and an assessment of his policy accomplishments and disappointments. This book is appropriate for any undergraduate course on the presidency and anyone who is interested in a critical analysis of this historic presidency." --David T. Canon, University of Wisconsin “There is no shortage of serious academic books (not to mention partisan screeds) examining the election of Barack Obama and his performance in office over the last two years. Without question, this book is the best of the bunch. Thurber has assembled an all-star cast of political scientists and Washington insiders to contribute to this volume. It is notable not because of its ‘star power’ but because of the quality of the contribution that each author makes to the overall project. These are not ‘thought pieces’ but example of solid academic research. The topics covered hit all the right notes…Students and general readers will enjoy the balanced and incisive essays that compose this important volume. Highly recommended.” --CHOICE October 2011 Vol. 49 No. 02 Also Check Out: James Thurber on The Diane Rehm Show 1/3/11: Segment Page or Audio Page

• 1: An Introduction to an Assessment of the Obama Presidency; 1: From Campaigning to Governing; 2: Obama and the Polarized Public; 3: Obama and the Public Mood; 4: Obama's Personality and Performance; 5: Organizing the Obama White House; 2: On the Hill and Off; 6: Congressional Leadership in Obama's First Two Years; 7: A “Post-Partisan” President in a Partisan Context; 8: Obama's Battle with Lobbyists; 3: Obama and the Media; 9: Fall of the Favorite; 10: Communication Is Destiny; 4: Obama and Domestic Policy; 11: From Ambition to Desperation on the Budget; 12: The Politics of Regulation in the Obama Administration; 13: The Obama Administration and Internet Policy; 5: Obama and Foreign Policy; 14: Structural Challenges for American Foreign Policy in the Obama Administration; 15: The Obama Administration and Counterterrorism; 16: Obama's Use of Prerogative Powers in the War on Terrorism; 17: Reclaiming and Rebuilding American Power