In this Book
- The Character Factor: How We Judge America's Presidents
- Book
- 2004
- Published by: Texas A&M University Press
- Series: Joseph V. Hughes Jr. and Holly O. Hughes Series on the Presidency and Leadership
summary
WATERGATE. MONICA LEWINSKY. PAINKILLERS IN THE OVAL OFFICE. IRAN-CONTRA. READ MY LIPS. THE CHARACTER FACTOR.
The American president’s character matters. To most Americans, it matters deeply. But how do we define what character means, and why can’t we agree?
In this sober, probing consideration of “the character factor” and the presidency, veteran political analyst James P. Pfiffner leads us through a survey of three aspects of presidential character that have proved problematic for recent chief executives: lies, promise-keeping, and sexual probity. His goal is not to tell us which presidents have been “good” and which “bad.” Rather, he helps us think critically and impartially about complex character issues and invites us to reach our own conclusions.
The Character Factor avoids both the abyss of moral relativism and the desert of political cynicism. It helps us look at our presidents (and our presidential candidates) without illusions, knowing that flawed men can still be great leaders but that some flaws deserve defeat at the polls—or even the ultimate presidential sanction, impeachment.
Table of Contents
Download Full Book
- Chapter 3. Serious Presidential Lies
- pp. 39-63
- Chapter 6. Three Presidents in Crisis
- pp. 119-139
- Chapter 7. Character Complexity
- pp. 140-169
- Sources for Epigraphs
- pp. 201-203
- Series Page
- p. 210
Additional Information
ISBN
9781603446297
Related ISBN(s)
9781585443161
MARC Record
OCLC
826658011
Pages
224
Launched on MUSE
2012-01-01
Language
English
Open Access
No