Governing by Campaigning

In a volume that is at once packed with illustrative detail and broadly accessible, renowned presidency scholar George Edwards sets his sights on George Bush's dogged efforts to cultivate and hone public support for the most far reaching policy agenda in recent memory. A pure pleasure to read.William G. Howell, University of Chicago George C. Edwards' book on fellow Texan George W. Bush's penchant for campaigning has broad implications for the presidency.  In identifying the hazards of persistently making one's case outside Washington, Edwards reveals the polarizing politics of our time.Charles O. Jones, Emeritus Professor of Political Science, University of Wisconsin Professor Edwards has produced a savvy analysis of George W. Bush's leadership style that accentuates why neither his reliance on the bully pulpit nor the heights of his public approval following 9/11 has translated into a groundswell of support in Congress or in the electorate.  Edwards...weaves together an impressive analysis of the perils of the rhetorical presidency as a governing strategy.Richard Conley, University of Florida Governing by Campaigning is an ideal case study of the modern presidency in action.  It demonstrates the intimate connection between the 'outside game' of leading the public and the 'inside game' of influencing the policy machinery in the nation's capital. Dennis Simon, Southern Methodist University A rigorous and fascinating analysis of how Bush attempted to transform policy nonincrementally despite having only narrow Republican congressional majorities.  Edwards skillfully illuminates the strategies used and what worked and what didn't.Barbara Sinclair, Marvin Hoffenberg Professor of American Politics, UCLA Professor Edwards' conclusions may stir partisans but his careful assembling of the evidence will lead many independent observers to take seriously President Bush's responsibility for partisan polarization, legislative gridlock, and public cynicism.  Although President Bush is still in office, Governing by Campaigning sets the terms of debate about his legacy.Lawrence R. Jacobs, Mondale Chair for Political Studies, University of Minnesota