Description
Book SynopsisHow do presidents lead? If presidential power is the power to persuade, why is there a lack of evidence of presidential persuasion? This title examines and challenges the dominant paradigm of presidential leadership. It contends that presidents cannot create opportunities for change by persuading others to support their policies.
Trade ReviewOne of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2009 "The book should be read and reread by occupants of the White House, as well as by students and scholars of the presidency."--Brandice Canes-Wrone, Princeton University, Presidential Studies Quarterly. "This book should be required reading for scholars of the U.S. presidency."--A.L. Warber, Choice "[This] book has the merit of provoking new thinking about presidential governing strategies and the value of 'going public.' Scholars of the presidency will ... find much of interest in [this work]."--Daniel DiSalvo, Perspectives on Politics "Well organized and meticulously written... It contains the clearest and most complete information to be found on the subject. The Strategic President is worth reading. Not only is it entertaining reading by any definition, it is also highly informative."--Feryal Cubukcu, Journal of American Studies of Turkey
Table of ContentsPreface ix CHAPTER 1: Power as Persuasion 1 CHAPTER 2: Leading the Public: Best Test Cases 19 CHAPTER 3: Leading the Public: Exploiting Existing Opinion 61 CHAPTER 4: Leading Congress: Best Test Cases 110 CHAPTER 5: Leading Congress: Less Favorable Contexts 152 CHAPTER 6: Reassessing Leadership 188 Notes 201 Index 249
