U.S. Presidents For Dummies
by Marcus A. Stadelmann
Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at Tyler
U.S. Presidents For Dummies
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Library of Congress Control Number: 2002100246
ISBN: 978-0-7645-0885-1
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6
3B/RV/QU/QY/IN.
About the Author
Marcus A. Stadelmann is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at Tyler. Dr. Stadelmann received his Ph.D. from the University of California at Riverside in 1990, and has subsequently taught at universities in California, Utah, and Texas.
He presently teaches classes on American government and comparative politics. In addition he has given many public lectures on American presidential elections and international topics such as the collapse of the Soviet Union and German unification and has presented papers at national and regional academic conferences.
Dr. Stadelmanns other publications include The Dependent Ally-German Foreign Policy from 1949 to 1990. In addition, Dr. Stadelmann has contributed chapters to many books and has published numerous academic articles.
Dedication
This book is dedicated to the people who had the most impact on my life, my parents Wolfgang and Heidi, my wife Betsey, and my two daughters Katarina and Holly.
Authors Acknowledgments
Special thanks go to my wife Betsey and my two daughters Katarina and Holly. They kept me on track for the last months, supported me in this endeavor, and patiently waited until my work was done. Without their support, this work would not have been possible.
I would also like to express my gratitude to my editor, Kathleen Dobie, who did an excellent job working with me on the book. Without her input, this book would not have become what it is today. Finally, I would like to thank my technical editor, James Newsom, who spent countless hours making sure that this work was as perfect as possible.
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Introduction
O ver the last 213 years, 42 men have dominated U.S. politics and history. Although almost every American can name the current president, less than half can tell you the name of the vice president or the Senate majority leader. No other office within the U.S. government has received as much attention as the presidency.
The successes and failures of the chief executive have become a staple of U.S. culture. Every year, the media spends thousands of hours disseminating information on their virtues and shortcomings. Their biographies become best sellers. The public marvels at their childhood plights and adult accomplishments. Stories about their personal lives and office conduct have become ingrained in American culture and literature. The public revels in the presidents personal shortcomings and failures, and eagerly laps up scandals involving them. From Jeffersons affair with a slave, to the corruption of the Grant and Harding administrations, to Bill Clintons sex scandals, the public is mesmerized by the presidents and their activities.