Description
Book SynopsisThis is the first book to present both the arguments for and against Barack Obama's presidency and its policies. In it, prominent political scientists and Washington think tank scholars address Obama's domestic, economic and foreign policies and his political legacy. Contrasting perspectives assess the consequences of the large aspirations of the Obama presidency and the political and policy challenges Obama encountered in the pursuit of those aspirations. Barack Obama's project in the White House involved installing lasting changes in national policy and politics. Institutionally, the Obama administration sought to preserve control of Congress through maintenance of reliable partisan Democratic majorities, and enhance influence over the federal courts through a steady stream of liberal judicial appointees. The administration sought increased autonomy over the executive branch by a reorganizations spawned by a national economic crisis and an ambitious domestic policy agenda. Politicall
Trade ReviewIn Debating the Obama Presidency, Steve Schier has assembled a stellar cast of American politics scholars who have written provocative and insightful essays spanning the major topics of the Obama presidency, from electoral politics to foreign policy. Whether your politics are right, left, or center, each essay in this well balanced collection will capture your interest. -- James E. Campbell, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, author, Polarized: Making Sense of a Divided America
Table of ContentsIntroduction: A Controversial Presidency Steven E. Schier 1 Sound Work in a Tough Environment: Obama’s Governing Achievements John Kenneth White 2 Obama and Washington: Fallen Hopes and Frustrated Change John J. Pitney Jr. 3 Barack Obama’s Electoral Legacy: In a Polarized Era, Democrats Poised for Success in 2016 and Beyond Alan I. Abramowitz 4 With Enemies Like This, Who Needs Friends?: How Barack Obama Revived the Republican Party William G. Mayer 5 Obama’s Foreign Policy: Securing America’s Position, Avoiding Costly Errors Lawrence Korb and Peter Juul 6 America in Decline Danielle Pletka 7 Progress and Good Governance in Domestic Policy Ruth O’Brien 8 The Limits of Governmental Accomplishment: Obama’s Domestic Policies Andrew E. Busch 9 Back from the Brink: Obama’s Economic Record Daniel E. Ponderl 10 Economic Stagnation in the Obama Presidency Raymond Tatalovich Index About the Contributors
