The Presidential Difference: Leadership Style from Roosevelt to ClintonAs Americans choose and install a new president for a new century they could do no better than to read this work by one of our keenest observers of the modern presidency. Drawing on a quarter-century's immersion in the presidential record and scores of interviews, Fred I. Greenstein provides a fascinating and instructive account of the qualities that have served well and poorly in the Oval Office from Franklin D. Roosevelt's first hundred days to the end of the Clinton administration. Greenstein offers a series of bottom-line judgments on each of his eleven subjects and a bold new explanation of why presidents succeed or fail. Previous analysts have placed their bets on the president's political prowess or personal character. Yet by the first standard, LBJ should have been our greatest president, and by the second the nod would go to Jimmy Carter. Greenstein surveys each president's record in public communication, political skill, vision, cognitive style, and emotional intelligence. He concludes that the last is by far the most important. According to Greenstein, FDR provides endless positive lessons but is a source of warnings. Truman let his bizarre readings of history lead him astray. Eisenhower was wise but failed to communicate a vision. Kennedy had no vision. Reagan was Carter in reverse. It is Ford who is most unappreciated and genuinely interesting. Ford balanced many conflicting demands, kept his poise, and left the office much stronger than he found it. Presidents can avoid failure if they are willing to accept the warnings of failures past and act accordingly. But it is not only presidents who should read this book with care. Some flaws cannot be overcome no matter how otherwise talented the man. Only three of Greenstein's eleven modern presidents were "fundamentally free of distracting emotional perturbations." When we choose our presidents, we will do well to listen to Greenstein and "Beware the presidential contender who lacks emotional intelligence. In its absence all else may turn to ashes." |
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actions administration administration’s aides approval level attorney Barber’s became Bill Clinton Bush’s campaign candidate capacity CHAPTER chief executive chief of staff cold war communist Congress congressional David declared defeated Democratic domestic economic effort Eisenhower Eisenhower’s election Emotional Intelligence FDR’s forces Ford Ford’s foreign policy Franklin Franklin D Gallup George Bush Gerald Gerald Ford Gorbachev Harry Harry Truman James January Jimmy Carter July Kennedy Kennedy’s Korea leaders legislative Lyndon Johnson memoirs military missile modern presidents national security Neustadt nomination Oval Office party party’s percent Political Skill presidential leadership Presidential Power Public Communication Republican Richard Nixon Robert Ronald Reagan Roosevelt secretary of commerce secretary of defense secretary of health secretary of labor Senate Sept Simon & Schuster South Vietnam Soviet Union television tion treasury Truman U.S. Government Printing United University Press Vice President Vietnam vote Washington Watergate White House William York
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Page 11 - This great nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So first of all let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.
Page 11 - So first of all let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory.
References to this book
Turf War: The Clinton Administration and Northern Ireland Timothy J. Lynch No preview available - 2004 |