Remembering Ronald Reagan
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker looks back on his eight years working in the Reagan White House. Secretary Baker explains that one of President Reagan's greatest strengths was his ability to make those around him feel good about themselves.
Government by Committee: President's Changing Leadership Responsibilities
Throughout most of the 18th and 19th centuries Congress jealously guarded its legislative powers. But as the nation moved from an agrarian to an industrial society, stronger presidential leadership became necessary. Woodrow Wilson viewed the preside...
Government by Committee: Securing the Presidential Nomination
The process of nominating candidates for the nation's highest office has also changed through the years bringing it closer to the people. Today the emphasis is on amassing enough delegates in the primaries to wrap up the nomination long before the R...
Government by Committee: Presidency, a Position With Sparse Constitutional Direction, the
The writers of the Constitution had a basic idea of what they wanted in a president: a national leader who would carry out the law of the land, a statesman who could negotiate with world powers; a commander-in chief in times of conflict. It was impo...
Government by Committee: Intense Competition: Campaign for the White House
The intense competition that surrounds the campaign for the White House intensifies as the general election nears. Robert Reich calls it "warfare without blood." It is difficult to predict what will make a presidential campaign successful. Despite 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...
Government by Committee: Forming the New Administration
When American go to the polls on election day they are choosing more than a single executive leader. They are also selecting a slate of executive and staff officers that will be named in the early months of the administration. Filling these staff po...