Obama in Office: The First Two Years / Edition 1

by James A. Thurber

Overview

Barack Obama entered office on a wave of popular expectation; will he exit at the hands of a Tea Party inspired populist tsunami or return for four more years? Obama in Office brings together well-established political scientists and journalists to offer the first detailed assessment of President Obama and his first two years in office. This book covers the range of policy tests which the administration has faced during this period, including the recession and its jobless recovery, health care reform, financial regulation, the BP oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico, and the ongoing war in Afghanistan. Looking beyond the midterms, Obama in Office considers the results of 2010, the impact of the Tea Party, and the prospects for 2012.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781594519932
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	03/30/2011
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	328
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

James A. Thurber is Distinguished University Professor and Director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University. He is author or editor of numerous titles including, most recently, new editions of the classics, Rivals for Power: Presidential-Congressional Relations (2009) and (with Candice J. Nelson) Campaigns and Elections American Style: Transforming American Politics (2009).

Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgments ix

Chapter 1 An Introduction to an Assessment of the Obama Presidency James A. Thurber 1

Part I From Campaigning to Governing

Chapter 2 Obama and the Polarized Public Gary C. Jacobson 19

Chapter 3 Obama and the Public Mood Richard W. Boyd 41

Chapter 4 Obama's Personality and Performance Stephen J. Wayne 63

Chapter 5 Organizing the Obama White House James P. Pfiffner 75

Part II On the Hill and Off

Chapter 6 Congressional Leadership in Obama's First Two Years Barbara Sinclair 89

Chapter 7 A "Post-Partisan" President in a Partisan Context John E. Owens 107

Chapter 8 Obama's Battle with Lobbyists James A. Thurber 127

Part III Obama and the Media

Chapter 9 Fall of the Favorite Ron Elving 145

Chapter 10 Communication Is Destiny Scott Lilly 167

Part IV Obama and Domestic Policy

Chapter 11 From Ambition to Desperation on the Budget Joseph White 183

Chapter 12 The Politics of Regulation in the Obama Administration Claudia Hartley Thurber, Esq. 199

Chapter 13 The Obama Administration and Internet Policy Douglas E. Van Houweling 211

Part V Obama and Foreign Policy

Chapter 14 Structural Challenges for American Foreign Policy in the Obama Administration Jonathan Wilkenfeld 227

Chapter 15 The Obama Administration and Counterterrorism Martha Crenshaw 243

Chapter 16 Obama's Use of Prerogative Powers in the War on Terrorism Richard M. Pious 255

Chapter 17 Reclaiming and Rebuilding American Power Lawrence J. Korb Alexander H. Rothman 269

References 281

Index 305

About the Contributors 315

Editorial Reviews

"Has any modern president taken office amid higher hopes than Barack Obama did in 2008—only to face a 'shellacking' from the voters just two years later? In this volume, leading political scientists and thinkers examine the polarized public the new president faced, the way his personality has played in the Oval Office, his battles with lobbyists at home, and threats from abroad. With that, they offer a three-dimensional portrait of our 44th president—and important clues to his future."
—Susan Page, Washington Bureau chief, USA TODAY

“…exceptionally valuable for use in the undergraduate classes, precisely because they bring to bear scholarly analysis in an accessible way on political events that students should know from the news of the day.”
—Russell L. Riley, The Miller Center of Public Affairs, University of Virginia

"No observer of contemporary American politics can afford to ignore the contributions to this invaluable examination of the Obama presidency at midterm. Professor Thurber is to be commended for assembling such an outstanding cast of commentators."
—Fred I. Greenstein, Princeton University

“A stellar group of academics and practitioners provides a comprehensive overview of Obama’s relations with the other parts of government, the media, and the public and an assessment of his policy accomplishments and disappointments. This book is appropriate for any undergraduate course on the presidency and anyone who is interested in a critical analysis of this historic presidency."
—David T. Canon, University of Wisconsin

“There is no shortage of serious academic books (not to mention partisan screeds) examining the election of Barack Obama and his performance in office over the last two years. Without question, this book is the best of the bunch. Thurber has assembled an all-star cast of political scientists and Washington insiders to contribute to this volume. It is notable not because of its ‘star power’ but because of the quality of the contribution that each author makes to the overall project. These are not ‘thought pieces’ but example of solid academic research. The topics covered hit all the right notes…Students and general readers will enjoy the balanced and incisive essays that compose this important volume. Highly recommended.” —CHOICE October 2011 Vol. 49 No. 02

Also Check Out: James Thurber on The Diane Rehm Show 1/3/11: Segment Page or Audio Page

From the Publisher