Character Factor

Contents

Download PDF (45.0 KB)
pp. vii-

Preface

Download PDF (70.6 KB)
pp. ix-xiv

The farcical elements resembled an eighteenth-century comedy of manners in which the main character is caught in a sexual affair with a woman not his wife and is greatly embarrassed by the discovery. Clinton’s affair also had some far-fetched coincidences reminiscent of musical comedy. The president is brought to court by a woman (Paula Jones) who felt that her honor had been publicly impugned by the author of an article...

Chapter 1. Judging Presidential Character

Download PDF (124.5 KB)
pp. 3-17

In American partisan politics, the character issue is most often raised with negative connotations to imply doubt about a person’s moral suitability for high public office. William Safire’s New Political Dictionary defines the character issue as “the moral uprightness of a candidate; or, a euphemism for an attack on a candidate for philandering.” He adds that the term is “almost always used in a verbal attack” that “insinuates a negative evaluation...

Chapter 2. The Nature of Presidential Lies

Download PDF (140.2 KB)
pp. 19-38

Virtually everybody lies, at least in the conduct of everyday life.¹ We say the equivalent of “I’m pleased to meet you” to people we consider our adversaries or enemies. When asked by a casual acquaintance, “how are you?” we say “fine,” even though we may feel rotten for emotional or physical reasons. When a friend has been sick, we may say “you look...

Chapter 3. Serious Presidential Lies

Download PDF (166.3 KB)
pp. 39-63

In addition to justifiable lies, the lies analyzed in the previous chapter range from relatively innocuous exaggerations about the personal background of presidential candidates to lies meant to maintain political viability. This chapter turns to presidential lies that are more serious and have more far-reaching consequences than those in Chapter 2. First considered...

Chapter 4. Sexual Probity and Presidential Character

Download PDF (168.2 KB)
pp. 64-90

Even though the Clinton administration was accused of a number of crimes and ethical lapses, the allegations of sexual impropriety attracted the most attention and opprobrium. In public debate and campaigning, the “character issue” became a shorthand reference to allegations of sexual misconduct by Clinton. And amid other allegations, the charge that...

Chapter 5. Character, Consistency, and Campaign Promises

Download PDF (168.4 KB)
pp. 91-118

Presidential promises and consistency are important because of the basic democratic premise that citizens need to know what politicians intend to do in office in order to make informed judgments before casting their ballots. If politicians did not regularly keep their promises, voters would have much less information upon which to base their electoral choices....

Chapter 6. Three Presidents in Crisis

Download PDF (129.7 KB)
pp. 119-139

Three major crises of confidence have shaken the modern presidency— Watergate, Iran-Contra, and President Clinton’s impeachment. Each of them was caused not by external threats but by presidential decisions. Each of them led to serious consideration of impeachment and removal of the president from office: Nixon resigned in the face of virtually certain...

Chapter 7. Character Complexity

Download PDF (182.9 KB)
pp. 140-169

Presidents are complex human beings with many admirable attributes but who often exhibit less commendable traits. They are, after all, human. This chapter presents illustrations of presidential character complexity, beginning with the paradox of Richard Nixon’s anti-Semitism. It then takes up George Washington and the issue of slavery. How do we...

Notes

Download PDF (240.3 KB)
pp. 171-199

Sources for Epigraphs

Download PDF (58.9 KB)
pp. 201-203

Index

Download PDF (71.1 KB)
pp. 205-209

Series Page

Download PDF (47.9 KB)
pp. 210-