Presidency and Domestic Policy

Praise for the New Edition: "this new edition adds George W. Bush's and Barack Obama's presidencies...The authors argue that, given their levels of opportunity, different presidents overachieved while others underachieved...This book is clearly written, easy to understand, and full of interesting anecdotes to help support its arguments. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers and undergraduate students." CHOICE "Building on prior editions, Genovese, Belt, and Lammers have produced an insightful, discriminating, and cogent update to the study of presidential leadership in domestic policy that melds theory with the challenges individual presidents have confronted in the modern era. This highly readable account is a 'must' for courses on the presidency and American politics." Richard S. Conley, University of Florida Genovese, Belt, and Lammers have set a new standard for studies of presidential leadership in domestic policy. Their book gives a close-up view of modern presidents in action, while keeping in mind the larger context in which chief executives operate. Their analysis is thoughtful and judicious, and their case studies are interesting and well-written. This book will be useful to students and scholars alike. Ryan J. Barilleaux, Miami University of Ohio Praise for the First Edition: This is an elegant, even magisterial work on the presidency that combines theoretical sophistication with engaging presidential storytelling. Students as well as scholars will appreciate this fine book. Robert J. Spitzer, SUNY Cortland Praise for the New Edition: "this new edition adds George W. Bush's and Barack Obama's presidencies...The authors argue that, given their levels of opportunity, different presidents overachieved while others underachieved...This book is clearly written, easy to understand, and full of interesting anecdotes to help support its arguments. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers and undergraduate students." -- CHOICE "Building on prior editions, Genovese, Belt, and Lammers have produced an insightful, discriminating, and cogent update to the study of presidential leadership in domestic policy that melds theory with the challenges individual presidents have confronted in the modern era. This highly readable account is a 'must' for courses on the presidency and American politics." -- Richard S. Conley, University of Florida "Genovese, Belt, and Lammers have set a new standard for studies of presidential leadership in domestic policy. Their book gives a close-up view of modern presidents in action, while keeping in mind the larger context in which chief executives operate. Their analysis is thoughtful and judicious, and their case studies are interesting and well-written. This book will be useful to students and scholars alike." -- Ryan J. Barilleaux, Miami University of Ohio Praise for the First Edition: "This is an elegant, even magisterial work on the presidency that combines theoretical sophistication with engaging presidential storytelling. Students as well as scholars will appreciate this fine book." -- Robert J. Spitzer, SUNY Cortland

Michael A. Genovese is Director of the Institute for Leadership Studies and holds the Loyola Chair of Leadership as Professor of Political Science at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He received his PhD in political science from the University of Southern California and has authored over 30 books and edits a series on the presidency. Genovese has won numerous awards for outstanding teaching and scholarship. Todd L. Belt is Professor of Political Science at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. He received his PhD at the University of Southern California. He is the coauthor of the books We Interrupt This Newscast: How to Improve Local News and Win Ratings, Too and Getting Involved: A Guide to Student Citizenship. William W. Lammers (late) was Professor of Political Science at the University of Southern California. He was an authority on presidential politics and federal policies toward the aging, and he dedicated his research to American political processes and public policy formation. His books include Presidential Politics: Patterns and Prospects and Public Policy and the Aging.

List of Tables Preface Part I. The High Opportunity Presidents Chapter 1. Strategies for Assessing Presidents Chapter 2. Franklin D. Roosevelt: Artful Leadership during Hard Times Chapter 3. Lyndon B. Johnson: Legislative Leadership and a Credibility Gap Chapter 4. Ronald Reagan: One Big Year Chapter 5. George W. Bush: A Resolute Decider with a Co-President Part II. The Moderate Opportunity Presidents Chapter 6. Harry S. Truman: A Broker with Beliefs Chapter 7. Dwight D. Eisenhower: A Skilled Centrist Chapter 8. John F. Kennedy: A Quest for Heroic Leadership Chapter 9. Barack Obama: A Negotiator without a Partner Part III. The Low Opportunity Presidents Chapter 10. Richard Nixon: An Activist with an Enemies List Chapter 11. Jimmy Carter: An Outsiders Pursuit of Trustee Leadership Chapter 12. George Bush: A Reluctant Guardian Chapter 13. Bill Clinton: A Perpetual Campaigner under Siege Part IV. Conclusion Chapter 14. Opportunities, Challenges, and Skills: Comparing the Presidents Select Bibliography Subject Index Citations of Authors