Vital Statistics on the Presidency: The definitive source for data and analysis on the American Presidency / Edition 4

by Lyn K. Ragsdale

Overview

Looking beyond the individual office holders to the office itself, this Fourth Edition of Vital Statistics on the Presidency covers George Washington’s tenure through the 2012 election. The book’s expansive view of the presidency allows readers to recognize major themes across administrations and to reach overall conclusions about the nature of the institution and its future. The illuminating data is put into context by thoughtful essays explaining key statistical patterns, making this edition an intriguing and comprehensive reference to important patterns throughout the history of the presidency.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452299938
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	05/07/2014
Edition description:	Fourth Edition
Pages:	624
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.50(d)

About the Author

Lyn Ragsdale was a professor of political science and was the dean of Rice University’s School of Social Sciences.

Table of Contents

Tables and Figures vii

Preface xv

Introduction 1

Changing Directions in Presidency Research 1

A Less Elusive Executive 5

Statistical Patterns of the Presidency 9

Outline of the Book 13

1 Presidents of the United States 15

Personal Backgrounds

Careers

Ratings of Presidents

2 Presidential Selection 33

Party Convention History

Nomination Methods

Primary Results

Television Coverage of Primaries and Conventions

Profile of Convention Delegates

Party Convention Results

3 Presidential Elections 111

National Popular and Electoral Votes for President

Third Parties

Electoral College Anomalies

Popular and Electoral Votes by State

Turnout

Voters' Perceptions of Candidates

Television Coverage of Presidential Candidates

Public Opinion Polls on Presidential Candidates

Campaign Contributions

4 Public Appearances 186

Major Presidential Speeches

News Conferences

Press Secretaries

Foreign Travel

Minor Policy Speeches

Ceremonial Appearances

Partisan Appearances

5 Public Opinions 231

National Presidential Approval

Approval by Party, Region, and Demographic Characteristics

Presidents' Handling of the Economy and Foreign Affairs

The Public's Most Important Problem

Public Confidence in Major Institutions

6 Presidential Organization and the Executive Branch 334

Executive Office of the President

Units of the White House

Chiefs of Staff

Executive Departments and Agencies

Executive Nominations

Presidential Appointments

Senate Action

7 Presidents in War and Diplomacy 393

Types of Wars

The Costs of War

Presidents' Military Funding Decisions

Treaties and Executive Agreements

8 Presidential Policymaking 467

Executive Orders

Presidential Tax and Appropriation Proposals

Budget Surpluses and Deficits

9 Congressional Relations 505

Political Parties of the Presidency and Congress

Office of Legislative Affairs

Legislative Clearance Process

Presidential Requests to Congress

Presidential Position Taking

House and Senate Concurrence with Presidents' Positions

Vetoes

Presidential Policy Behavior

10 The Presidency and the Judiciary 551

Presidents' Nominations to the Supreme Court

Court Nominees with Senate Problems

Presidents' Nominations to Lower Courts

Characteristics of Lower Court Appointees

Success of the United States in the Supreme Court

Supreme Court Rulings against the President

References 582

Index 589