The Joy of Power: Changing Conceptions of the Presidential Office

In the closing weeks of his presidency, Bill Clinton consented to an interview with Jann Wenner of Rolling Stone Magazine. "I love this job," the president told Wenner, "and I love the nature of this work.... I got to deal with politics, policy, and governing, the three things that I really loved" (Interview 2000, 2993). But for the Twenty-second Amendment, Clinton confessed, he would have gladly run again (ibid., 2992). "I've had a good time. I've enjoyed it" (ibid., 3002). "Even in the worst times-the whole impeachment thing--I just thank God every day I can go to work. I love the job. I've always loved it" (ibid., 3018). Clinton's effusiveness may be distinctive, but his positive assessment of the presidential job is typical of contemporary presidents. Presidents today are supposed to take pleasure in the job. They tell the press and the American people how much they are enjoying it. They smile on cue for the camera and joke with reporters. Those who dislike or at least complain about it are assumed to be psychologically suspect. Political scientist James David Barber (1972) built a well-known theory of presidential character on the premise that psychological health could be measured by whether a president enjoys the exercise of political power. Unlike most political science theories, Barber's received widespread national attention, particularly after Nixon's self-destruction and resignation seemed to vindicate his prediction that Nixon's active-negative character could end in a presidential tragedy. One of the defining signs of Nixon's psychological pathology was that while in power he did not seem to enjoy himself. After Nixon's resignation, the press took Barber to heart and began regularly to ask presidents about whether they were enjoying themselves. President Gerald Ford, as he neared the halfway point of his first year in office, was invited by White House reporters to "tell us a little bit about how you like the job." Ford responded, "Well, I think I have said several times that I enjoy the challenge of the job. It is not an easy one, but I enjoy the day-to-day responsibilities" (Public Papers ... Gerald Ford: 1977-82, January 21,1975, 71). Later in the year, reporters tried again, quoting Thomas Jefferson's famous description of the presidency as "splendid misery" (less often recalled is that Jefferson made the comment four years before he was elected president) and again inquiring how he was enjoying life in the White House. Ford reassured the American people that my family as well as myself enjoy living here. It is a magnificent home, of course. It can get a little lonely at times. It is big, but there are so many wonderful things here that you can enjoy. It is a super place to live. (Ibid., August 7, 1975, 1120) Six months later, at a public forum in New Hampshire, the president was once again asked if he liked his job. Ford gushed, I really enjoy the job. I enjoy the challenge. I get up every morning--I can't wait to get to the office. [Laughter] That's true, that's true. I thoroughly enjoy it.... I like the job, and that is why I am a candidate, and that is why I would appreciate your support next Tuesday and on November 2. (Ibid., February 19, 1976, 116) Ford's successor, Jimmy Carter, was faced with the same questions and gave the same answers. Only six weeks into his term, Carter sat down for a question-and-answer session with a group of prominent editors, publishers, and broadcasters. At the close of the session, Carter emphasized not only how hard he worked but how much he enjoyed it. I'm learning. I'm studying. I'm enjoying the job. I get over here every rooming at the latest by 7 o'clock. And I ordinarily go home in time for supper at 7, and then I spend 2 or 3 hours at night working and studying and reading. It's not a laborious thing for me because I really enjoy it. (Public Papers . …