American Presidency. Rossiter

The American Presidency
Clinton Rossiter
New York: Time Incorporated, 1956/1963.

Why read it? Thoughtful view of the powers and limitations of the American Presidency Distinguishes between the American and British systems of government.

The President is the image of the American people. He is Chief Diplomat. He is the Chief Democrat or Republican. He is crisis manager (“Words at times of crisis are deeds”). Must make final decisions. Can influence legislature, but has no power over the legislature. Has to persuade federal agencies to carry out his policy. FDR on the Treasury Department: large, far-flung, and ingrained in its practices but the State Department is worse and worse, still, is the Na-a-a-vy! The President is manager of prosperity. Must know the limits of his power and sense the possible or exhaust himself in trying to achieve the impossible.

Fixed term assures that the Presidency will not be a parliamentary style government in which the Prime Minister can be dismissed at any time that the legislature takes a vote of “No confidence.”

Lincoln raised the Presidency to supreme manager of crisis government.

Vice-President, according to Thomas Marshall, VP of Woodrow Wilson, is similar to a “cataleptic fit”; conscious of everything going on but not part of it.

Great Presidents hold office in great times. Set precedents for other Presidents to follow. Influence history. FDR met crisis head on. HST showed that an ordinary man could fill the office. Formula for failure; try to please everyone. Eisenhower let problems solve themselves. As delighted with the challenges of the office as its privileges.

Primaries make Presidential campaigns too long, exhausting and expensive.

HST: Pass the details, but not the buck.

Widening gap between what people expect and what President can produce.

The Presidency is the symbol of continuity and destiny.

Best Sentences:
Harry S Truman: “The principal power of the President is to persuade people to do what they ought to do without persuasion.”

“The Presidency is the answer to those who say democracies must fail because they can’t decide or act promptly.”