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Heroic Presidency. 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
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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 Attitude • 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 Energy Level
Attitude Energy Level