Heroic Presidency

Franklin Delano Roosevelt President use political skill, personality, and presidential power to pass they’re agenda –Cannot dominate or direct congress – must use persuasion –Idea is that president sets political & social agendas »All presidents are measured against FDR due to his “first 100 days” First 100 days –13-15 million unemployed Americans –3 ½ million homeless –38 states had closed public banks –FDR proposed New Deal »Asked congress for “broad executive powers” »Declared Bank Holidays – Created FDIC »Pushed $500 million dollars to states in form of relief grants »Created CCC & PWA public work system – get people back to work »Home Owners Loan Corporation – help lower – middle class families purchase homes »Pushed Congress to raise minimum wage – give workers voting rights »Agricultural adjustment act – farm quotas – agricultural subsidies »Spent a of money and raised revenue to pay for these program

Heroic President FDR Exuded Leadership and Confidence –Mass “fireside chats” instilled confidence in the public –Led U.S. through WWII – secretly working with military to get us closer to war –Death became a day of mourning – shops closed, people lined the streets –The measuring stick of future presidents FDR perfect? –Times were different – people respected the president and the office »Carefully considered what to report –Media was small compared to today »FDR was a womanizer »He was handicapped (Polio) – used a wheelchair »Today – President reports all findings about health and medical records (public information act) »Mrs. Roosevelt also had sexual liaisons –What mattered? The actions of the president and the use of their power to better the situations How effective would FDR be today if he were still alive? Would he have been elected? What about his womanizing? What would the media have to say about FDR and his presidency? What about his ability to wield power in the presidency? –Did he have too much leniency? Does the personal life of the president matter? What do you think?

Presidential Character How is it measured? James David Barber –Two dimensions to a president »(1) Amount of Energy a person brings to office (Active or Passive) »(2) Attitude of the President toward being president (Positive or Negative) –“Active-Positive” self confident, optimistic, flexible »Enjoy their job –“Active-Negative” president is dangerous »Low-self esteem & views political disputes from a personal perspective –“Passive-Positive” person enjoys being a president »Lacks the energy to complete their duties »Delegates work a lot –“Passive-Negative” most ineffective type of President »Felt they deserved to be president »Disliked the office and politics in general of government Attitude Positive A C T I V E Negative PASSIVEPASSIVE Energy Level

Attitude Positive A Active-Positive” self C confident, optimistic, T flexible I V E Negative Low-self esteem & views political disputes from a personal perspective P person enjoys being a A president S Lacks the energy to S complete their duties I Delegates work a lot V E Most ineffective type of President Felt they deserved to be president Disliked the office and politics in general of government Energy Level