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February 2005

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Notable experts discuss President Bush's second term
By Kimberly Wallmeier '06

   On Jan. 22, the Villanova university political science department, hosted 12 specialists on the presidency in a conference titled “The Second Term of George W. Bush: Prospects and Perils.” Each specialist presented their papers on various topics related to Bush’s second-term, including the election, White House staff, Cabinet, Congress, war in Iraq, and, presented by the luncheon speaker Stanley Renshon, character and leadership of the president. In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Robert Maranto of Villanova University’s political science department introduced Dr. John R. Johannes, vice president for Academic Affairs, as a man who “encourages faculty entrepreneurship.” Maranto was grateful to Johannes and the University for supporting the event.

   Johannes, also a political scientist and specialist on the presidency, presented a paper by his colleague Roger H. Davidson, University of Maryland, titled: “Public Opinion, Presidential Elections and Presidential Governance.” Davidson recognizes that America is more divided politically than ever before. Controversial issues including abortion, gay marriage and stem cell research did not decide the 2004 election, according to Davidson. Instead he concluded that terrorism and the war in Iraq were greater determinants of candidate choice. Of Bush’s second presidency, Davidson’s paper notes that 9/11 transferred our focus from political agenda to character. This second term will return public focus to Bush’s political agenda and his 2000 promise to be a “uniter, not a divider.” Bush’s second-term goals for social security reform, the Middle East, and taxes will be a hard sell to the American people.

   Shirley A. Warshaw, Gettysburg College; Bradley Patterson, Brookings Institute; and John “Bob” Greene, Cazenovia College, presented on the Cabinet, White House staff and presidential rhetoric, respectively. Warshaw analyzed the diversity of Bush’s second term Cabinet based on geography, race, gender and religious affiliation. Although a very diverse group, Bush’s cabinet consists of all pro-life, Christian conservatives. This lack of diversity could result in groupthink, with few challenges and alternatives to group opinion being made. “There is some concern among scholars that the war in Iraq was brought about by groupthink,” according to Warshaw.

   Patterson introduced his paper on the people and structure of the White House staff. Calling it an “institutionalized non-institution,” he noted nine areas of change in the White House staff. Greene identified the differing rhetorical styles of Bush and his father, calling President Bush a “speaker not a speecher.”

   In a luncheon address, Stanley Renshon, City University of New York, spoke on the character and leadership of Bush. His recent book In his Father’s Shadow: The Transformation of George W. Bush identifies four transformations which describe the president’s biographical and leadership psychology. At the conference, Renshon showed an image of Bush’s favorite painting titled “A Charge to Keep,” also the title of Bush’s autobiography. Used as a metaphor for Bush’s leadership and drive, the painting shows three men on horseback in an uphill struggle on a steep and blocked path. One man is ahead of the other two: not bound by the group and “a part and apart” from the rest. Renshon believes our president invokes the same qualities as the lead horseman in the painting: perseverance, drive, and urgency.

   In a question and answer session, several attendees challenged Bush’s curiosity for facts and his ethics vs. his politics. Renshon noted that because Bush does not have the curiosity of a president such as Bill Clinton, more things will be accomplished in his time as commander in chief. Bush requires all government functions to produce positive results.

   This corporate model of leadership was criticized by Lori Johnson of Wellesley College. Johnson sees Bush as unable to acknowledge his errors and also pointed out that the results-oriented mindset of Bush goes against democracy’s key values.

   Other presenters at the conference included:

-        Robert Maranto, Villanova University, on second-term presidencies

-        Andrew Rudalevige, Dickinson College, on Congress

-        Amy Steigerwalt, University of New Orleans, and Lori Johnson, Wellesley College, on the courts and legal policy

-        Jeremy Johnson, Villanova University, presenting a paper by Michael Genovese, Loyola Merrymount University, on domestic policy

-        Doug Brattebo, U.S. Naval Academy, presenting a paper by Jeff Cohen, Fordham University, on economic policy

-        Tom Lansford, University of Southern Mississippi, presenting a paper by Anne Khademian, Virginia Tech, on homeland security and a paper by Jack Covarrubias, University of Southern Mississippi, on post-Iraq defense

-        Ann Lesch, American University in Cairo, on the Middle East and the war on terrorism

   Maranto is currently working on a book compilation of the papers presented at this conference. The conference was broadcast live on C-SPAN2 and will be re-aired in February.