Book Report on "Clinton Rossiter's the American Presidency Rossiter's Account"

Book Report 5 pages (1345 words) Sources: 1

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Clinton Rossiter's the American Presidency

Rossiter's account of the American Presidency as an institution as well as a position of much political and social appeal is quite comprehensive and insightful. The book was written at a time when the title of President of the United States tended to exact a bit more respect and faith than the title now requires from those who criticize and even demonize the office. It is interesting to note that Rossiter's account of influence and responsibility covers the responsibilities of many other sovereign nations' leaders as well as some that are very unique to the American experience.

In the beginning of his book, Rossiter gives the reader an idea of the vast social and political responsibilities that the President has. He describes these on page 2 and 3 by stating,

"First, the President if Chief of State. He remains today, as he always has been, the ceremonial head of the government of the United States, and he must take part with real or apparent enthusiasm in a range of activities that would keep him running and posing from sunrise to bedtime if he were not protected by a cold-blooded staff. Some of these activities are solemn or even priestly in nature; others, through no fault of his own, are flirtations with vulgarity. The long catalogue of public duties that the Queen discharges in England, the President of the Republic in France, and the Governor-General in Canada is the President's responsibility in this country, and the catalogue is even longer because he is not a king, or even the agent of one, and is therefore expected to go through some rather undignified paces by a people who think of him as a combination of scoutmaster, Delphic oracle, hero of the silver screen, and father of the multitudes."

Rossiter's eloquent words capture both the vagueness and specificity that the President is forced to work within, while still cataloguing the responsibilities that he has. The President and his duties are far more complex than many Americans realize, and Rossiter begins the book by unfolding those many duties for the reader to see and examine. It is with wonder that the author, so close to the beginning of the book, can positively paint a picture so vivid and patriotically of the head of the United States government.

The changing nature of the United States both politically and socially makes it difficult for any author to try and accomplish a comprehensive analysis of the position of President, and this fact makes it even harder to pin down the exact meaning of the position to the country at large. This shifting foundation of political ideology and foreign policy is something that also creates some friction internationally, as Rossiter points out. Many other countries have viewed America as a rather schizophrenic nation, and since the office of President changes every 4 or 8 years, it is no wonder that many foreigners are puzzled by the seemingly baseless changes in American policy abroad. This frustration with the lack of continuity is often what Americans are most proud of, at least when it comes to their own foreign policy opinions. Rossiter is quick to point out that Americans, being so used to a changing of the guard every few years, rather expect to be a part of the civil discourse after the election of a fresh governmental figurehead.

It is interesting that the author is able to point out many of the same problems with presidential succession and selection that existed in 1960 that exist today. Americans at large often grow impatient with the system of using the Electoral College to decide the presidency, instead of the popular vote. And Rossiter wryly and quite intelligently points out that voices of dissent, from all sides of all arguments are quick to blame the figurehead for the ills that have affected the nation at one time or another. Rossiter had no idea when writing his book that the current president at the time the book was… READ MORE

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