The Obama Presidency: A Preliminary Assessment

Contents

Contents List of Illustrations ix Preface xi I Introduction 1. Rating Presidents and Assessing Obama 3 Robert P. Watson II Character and Identity 2. Rhetoric and Image 21 Casey Malone Maugh 3. Obama’s Lincoln: Image to Ideology 37 William D. Pederson 4. The Optimist and the Realist 51 R. Ward Holder 5. Obamania in Europe 67 Marie des Neiges Léonard III Politics and Leadership 6. The First Hundred Days 85 Sean J. Savage 7. Legislative Leadership 99 Max J. Skidmore 8. The Firing of General Stanley McChrystal 113 Douglas M. Brattebo vi / Contents 9. 2010 Midterm Election 129 Matthew N. Green IV Domestic Policy 10. U.S. Auto Industry Rescue 145 Steven A. Stuglin 11. Environmental Policy and Global Climate Change 161 Byron W. Daynes & Glen Sussman 12. Food and Agricultural Policy 183 Julie A. Lester 13. Health Care Reform 197 Michael K. Gusmano 14. Response to the Gulf Oil Spill 213 Matthew A. Williams & Brian Richard V Foreign Policy and National Security 15. Inherited Wars: Afghanistan and Iraq 231 Tom Lansford & Jack Covarrubias 16. Iran Policy 247 Robert J. Pauly Jr. 17. China Policy 263 De-Yuan Kao 18. Counterterrorism Policy 277 Leonard Cutler 19. Obama, Libya, and War Powers 297 Louis Fisher VI The Obama Administration 20. The Policy Czar Debate 315 Justin S. Vaughn & José D. Villalobos 21. Unilateral Directives 343 Graham G. Dodds 22. Vice President Joe Biden 363 Richard M. Yon Contents / vii 23. First Lady Michelle Obama 379 Robert P. Watson VII Conclusion 24. Making History 401 Douglas M. Brattebo & Robert P. Watson Appendix A: Barack Obama Biography 419 Appendix B: The Obama Administration 421 List of Contributors 423 Index 431 ...