Barack Obama’s presidency is a pivotal one in American history, coming at a time of dramatic political change in the United States and amidst an astonishing array of domestic and foreign policy challenges. Not surprisingly, then, the Obama administration has been the focus of intense scrutiny by scholars, the press, and the public, and rarely has the tone of political discourse been more polarized and emotionally charged. In this book a distinguished group of scholars offers an objective and timely examination of the Obama administration; Obama’s character, leadership style, and rhetoric; and his domestic, foreign, and national security policies. Engaging, lively, and highly readable, each essay offers important insight into this historic president and presidency.
Innehållsförteckning
List of Illustrations
Preface
PART I. Introduction
1. Rating Presidents and Assessing Obama
Robert P. Watson
PART II. Character and Identity
2. Rhetoric and Image
Casey Malone Maugh
3. Obama’s Lincoln: Image to Ideology
William D. Pederson
4. The Optimist and the Realist
R. Ward Holder
5. Obamania in Europe
Marie des Neiges Léonard
PART III. Politics and Leadership
6. The First Hundred Days
Sean Savage
7. Legislative Leadership
Max J. Skidmore
8. The Firing of General Stanley Mc Chrystal
Douglas M. Brattebo
9. 2010 Midterm Election
Matthew N. Green
PART IV. Domestic Policy
10. U.S. Auto Industry Rescue
Steven A. Stuglin
11. Environmental Policy and Global Climate Change
Byron W. Daynes & Glen Sussman
12. Food and Agricultural Policy
Julie A. Lester
13. Health Care Reform
Michael K. Gusmano
14. Response to the Gulf Oil Spill
Matthew A. Williams & Brian Richard
PART V. Foreign Policy and National Security
15. Inherited Wars: Afghanistan and Iraq
Tom Lansford & Jack Covarrubias
16. Iran Policy
Robert J. Pauly
17. China Policy
De-Yuan Kao
18. Counterterrorism Policy
Leonard Cutler
19. Obama, Libya, and War Powers
Louis Fisher
PART VI. The Obama Administration
20. The Policy Czar Debate
Justin S. Vaughn & José D. Villalobos
21. Unilateral Directives
Graham G. Dodds
22. Vice President Joe Biden
Richard M. Yon
23. First Lady Michelle Obama
Robert P. Watson
PART VII. Conclusion
24. Making History
Douglas M. Brattebo & Robert P. Watson
Appendix A: Barack Obama Biography
Appendix B: The Obama Administration
List of Contributors
Index
Om författaren
Robert P. Watson is Professor of American Studies at Lynn University. His many books include
George W. Bush: Evaluating the President at Midterm (coedited with Bryan Hilliard and Tom Lansford) and
Life in the White House: A Social History of the First Family and the President’s House, both also published by SUNY Press. At the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast,
Jack Covarrubias is Assistant Professor of Political Science, and
Tom Lansford is Professor of Political Science.
Douglas M. Brattebo is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Hiram College.