Crisis of Authority: Watergate Crisis, The
Watergate includes a range of illegal activities that go beyond the break in at the Democratic National Headquarters. The use of illegal election funds to punish political opponents is just one of a number of disclosures that reveal the secret power...
Crisis of Authority: Downfall of a President, The
The public stands behind President Nixon in the wake of the Watergate scandal until tape recordings reveal that the President was involved. Nixon continues to deny involvement and alludes turning the tapes over, until the Supreme Court demands the t...
Government by Committee: Guiding the Ship of State
The White House is a difficult place to manage, but with so many layers of staff, it will go on even if the president chooses not to engage in the day-to-day workings of government. "The office is difficult to occupy if you want to be a great presid...
Importance of Goals and Agendas, The
Presidential advisor, political analyst and university professor David Gergen talks about the importance of goals and agendas for the President. He cites George Bush Sr. as a very effective President in terms of foreign policy leadership, but sugges...
Ronald Reagan and Leadership
Presidential advisor, political analyst and university professor David Gergen talks about the qualities that made Ronald Reagan an excellent leader. Mr. Gergen explains that, while President Reagan didn't spend an extraordinary amount of time master...
Government by Committee: White House Staff, The
In the long shadow of history, the White House staff is a relatively new aspect of the office. When George Washington wanted a letter written he summoned Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson to take dictation. With the expansion of U. S. government d...
Presidency, The: Challenges of Governing
Presidential advisor, political analyst and university professor David Gergen talks about some of the factors that have changed the fabric of political institutions in America and made governing more difficult than ever before. These factors include...
Presidency, The: A Delicate Balancing Act
Presidential advisor, political analyst and university professor David Gergen explains that the presidency is more than simply a relationship between the President and the people. If goals and objectives are to be reached, Mr. Gergen says, the Presi...
Politics and Compromise: The Art of the Possible
Presidential advisor, political analyst and university professor David Gergen explains that "...politics remains the art of the possible. Compromise is not a dirty word, despite the ideologues on both sides who insist that it is."
Leader for a Nation: Art of the Possible: Negotiating for Success, The
The design of the U. S. government makes it almost inevitable that there will be tensions between the legislative and executive branch. Different presidents have dealt with this problem in different ways, depending on their margin of victory and how...