The Character Factor
Subtitle: How We Judge America's Presidents (The Presidency and Leadership, No. 18)
Edition: 1st edition
Publisher: Texas A&M University Press
Published: January 2004
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 209
ISBN-13: 9781585443161
Subjects: Central government; United States - General; Political leadership; History - U.S; History; United States - 20th Century; History: American; USA; Presidents; Case studies; Character; Political aspects; Psychology; United States
Description: "In this 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."--Jacket.