4.1 Presidential Personality Flashcards
True or False: Presidential personality and character matter.
True
What was Bill Clinton’s approval rating upon leaving office?
Despite being plagued by scandal and impeachment during his two terms as president, Bill Clinton left office with a 66 percent approval rating.
The fact that Bill Clinton left office with a much higher approval rating than that of George W. Bush can be explained by the following factors.
Clinton’s much higher approval rating has been attributed to
- the thriving economy under the Clinton administration
- the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan initiated by the Bush administration
- Clinton’s charismatic reputation
- Bush’s unpopular personality
What is Richard Neustadt’s theory, a political scientist, of ‘the power to persuade’?
“The separateness of institutions and the sharing of authority prescribe the terms on which a president persuades.”
Meaning that individual presidents are successful to the extent that they can utilize the tools of the office to persuade the public and the other branches of government to follow their lead. In other words, “The power to persuade is the power to bargain.”
Explain the two dimensions and four presidential personalities of Barber’s theory. Give some examples.
Presidents have either an active or passive approach to their job. According to this analysis, presidents also have either a positive outlook or a negative outlook on the world. These two dimensions and four resulting presidential personalities capture what presidents do and how they feel about what they do.
Give some examples of presidential personalities of Barber’s (presidential scholar, James David Barber) theory.
ACTIVE POSITIVE
Traits: Engages in much activity Enjoys the job Values productivity Seeks personal and political goals Possesses high self-esteem
Goal:
To achieve results
(Possibly makes the best president)
Examples of ACTIVE POSITIVE presidents:
- Thomas Jefferson
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Harry Truman
- John F. Kennedy
- George H.W. Bush
- Bill Clinton
Give some examples of presidential personalities of Barber’s (presidential scholar, James David Barber) theory.
ACTIVE NEGATIVE
Traits: Engages in much activity Does not enjoy the job Emphasizes compulsive productivity Seems ambitious or power-seeking Possesses perfectionist tendencies Holds vague and contradictory self-image
Goal:
To hold power
(Possibly makes the worst or most dangerous president)
Examples of ACTIVE NEGATIVE presidents:
- John Adams
- Woodrow Wilson
- Herbert Hoover
- Lyndon Johnson
- Richard Nixon
Give some examples of presidential personalities of Barber’s (presidential scholar, James David Barber) theory.
PASSIVE POSITIVE
Traits:
- Lacks personal assertiveness
- Enjoys the job
- Maintains a hopeful attitude
- Seeks affection for cooperation
- Possesses low self-esteem
Goal:
-to be loved
(Possibly makes the best president)
Goal:
To be loved
Examples of PASSIVE POSITIVE presidents:
- James Madison
- William Taft
- Warren Harding
- Ronald Reagan
Give some examples of presidential personalities of Barber’s (presidential scholar, James David Barber) theory.
PASSIVE NEGATIVE
Traits:
- Engages in little activity
- Serves out of a sense of duty
- Withdraws from conflict
- Emphasizes principles and procedure
- Perceives self as guardian
- Possesses low self-esteem
Goal:
To be virtuous
Examples of PASSIVE NEGATIVE presidents:
- George Washington
- Calvin Coolidge
- Dwight Eisenhower
According to a 2009 C-SPAN survey of 65 presidential historians who ranked the highest when it comes to the ten leadership characteristics, including public persuasion, crisis leadership, moral authority, and vision.
President Lincoln
According to Richard Neustadt, a president’s performance is directly related to
the power to persuade
James David Barber, a noted presidential scholar, achieved renown when he foresaw problems based on the character of President
Richard Nixon
According to Barber’s typology, an ___ personality potentially makes the best type of president.
Active Positive
In part what determines the quality of presidential leadership.
personality and character
Examples of ACTIVE POSITIVE presidents:
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