The Character Factor: How We Judge America's PresidentsTexas A&M University Press, 2004 - 209 頁 Annotation The American president's character matters. To most Americans, it matters deeply. But how do we define what character means, and why can't we agree? In this sober, probing consideration of "the character factor" and the presidency, veteran political analyst James P. Pfiffner leads us through a survey of three aspects of presidential character that have proved problematic for recent chief executives: lies, promise-keeping, and sexual probity. His goal is not to tell us which presidents have been "good" and which "bad." Rather, he helps us think critically and impartially about complex character issues and invites us to reach our own conclusions. The Character Factor avoids both moral judgments and cynicism. It helps us look at our presidents (and our presidential candidates) without illusions, knowing that flawed men can still be great leaders but that some flaws deserve defeat at the polls--or even the ultimate presidential sanction, impeachment. |
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第 1 到 5 筆結果,共 29 筆
第 x 頁
... politicians of the twentieth century. Although he might not have ranked among the great presidents in U.S. history, he had the potential to accomplish much during his two terms in office. But he risked his political legacy and his ...
... politicians of the twentieth century. Although he might not have ranked among the great presidents in U.S. history, he had the potential to accomplish much during his two terms in office. But he risked his political legacy and his ...
第 xii 頁
... politicians. In chapters 2 and 3 I take up one central aspect of any definition of character: truthfulness and lying. The argument is that most presidents lie at some time while campaigning or in office but that not all lies are of ...
... politicians. In chapters 2 and 3 I take up one central aspect of any definition of character: truthfulness and lying. The argument is that most presidents lie at some time while campaigning or in office but that not all lies are of ...
第 xiii 頁
... politicians will not survive long in a democracy. The analysis then shifts to campaign promises that presidents make. We examine high—visibility promises that modern presidents have made, and we then evaluate how well the specific ...
... politicians will not survive long in a democracy. The analysis then shifts to campaign promises that presidents make. We examine high—visibility promises that modern presidents have made, and we then evaluate how well the specific ...
第 9 頁
... politicians who violate them are vulnerable to political attack that may jeopardize their political future. Thus engaging in extramarital sex may make a president subject to blackmail for money or raise national— security risks. This ...
... politicians who violate them are vulnerable to political attack that may jeopardize their political future. Thus engaging in extramarital sex may make a president subject to blackmail for money or raise national— security risks. This ...
第 10 頁
... politicians has to do with the nature of democracy and accountability. If politicians do not keep their promises after they are elected, how can citizens know for whom to vote? Thus blatant promise breaking undermines faith in politicians ...
... politicians has to do with the nature of democracy and accountability. If politicians do not keep their promises after they are elected, how can citizens know for whom to vote? Thus blatant promise breaking undermines faith in politicians ...
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