Inside The Oval Office Summary

725 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Powers of president in america

Analysis of Inside The Oval Office by William Doyle

Inside The Oval Office is a book written by William Doyle that explores the differences in the occupational tendencies of the Presidents of the United States since Franklin D. Roosevelt. The actual transcripts from calls and discussions from within the oval office walls in the White House give you a "behind the scenes" look at the Presidency in a manner that has never before been expressed, to my knowledge. Reading books of this nature are not only interesting, but they bring to light new perspectives that you may not have previously expected to think about. Some questions that are raised in this book range from the understanding particular Presidents had of certain key political events …show more content…

Despite the sometimes "pointed" commentary by officials providing the president with information, President Kennedy maintained his profile as "The Rational Executive" just as the chapter about him in this book is named (Doyle, 93). President Kennedy's tenure forced him to face some very difficult issues that were very important and had severe impacts on the way our country has been governed since. The civil rights movement, the bay of pigs and Cuban missile crisis just to name a few. President Kennedy, through no real fault of his own, took this country to the brink of nuclear war but by his swift, rational governing avoided catastrophe not only on the national level but also locally in situations such as the integration of The University of Mississippi (Doyle, 106). Keeping a calm and level head about the integration situation, Kennedy advised Governor Barnett on how to continue to maintain law and order, a civil protest (Doyle, 106). Even when the situation erupted into an uncontrollable riot, Kennedy took the ultimate blame on himself, "Kennedy cursed himself for not sending the troops in earlier" (Doyle, …show more content…

Most of what is discussed in Nixon's chapter entitled, "The Strategic Executive" is Nixon's strategies for controlling things outside the White House that most presidents never dreamed of controlling. Overstepping the boundaries of moral jeopardy several times, and especially during the Watergate scandal, Nixon discussed some of the most corrupt actions an executive of this magnitude could commit with people while being recorded. President Nixon served as the greatest postwar international strategist, but his problems of corruption, which didn't stop at Watergate, caused the weakening of his Presidency and ultimately instead of facing impeachment President Nixon resigned the off of President of the United States and left the tapes from his tenure behind to be found which further showed what a corrupt political figure he

Show More
Related

  • Political Time: Determining Presidential Legacies

    1133 Words  | 3 Pages

    Skowornek writes, “these presidents each set out to retrieve from a far distant, even mythic, past fundamental values that they claim had been lost in the indulgences of the received order, In this way, the order-shattering and order-affirming impulses of the presidency in politics became mutually reinforcing.” (Skowornek, 37, book). These presidents are in the best position not because they are exceptional at their job but because the time they came into office offered them the elasticity and authority to make new orders and be welcomed by the public because he is taking the country out of its troubles and challenges.

    Read More

  • Presidency Success and Efficiency in the Theories of Neustadt and Skowronek’s

    1894 Words  | 4 Pages

    Beginning with a comparative analysis of the manner in which Neustadt and Skowronek conceptualize of the Presidency itself, the essay notes that Neustadt’s theory operates at the micro level while Skowronek’s operates at the macro level. Arguing that this difference is salient in creating a division of labor between the two, the essay moves forward to examine each theory’s ability to expatiate upon differences between Presidents by applying them to both the Johnson and Nixon Administrations. Noting Neustadt’s superiority vis-à-vis Johnson and Skowronek’s greater potency as it pertains to Nixon, and how Reagan best shows the strengths and weaknesses of both authors, this essay proposes that this discussion lends further support to the notion that each theory is best suited to examining different facets of the Presidency.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Theodore Roosevelt And Ronald Reagan

    1973 Words  | 4 Pages

    The U.S. president is a person deemed to be the most fitting person to lead this country through thick and thin. It’s been such a successful method that it has led to 43 individual men being put in charge of running this country. However, this doesn’t mean that each one has been good or hasn’t had an issue they couldn’t resolve when in office. But no matter what, each one has left a very unique imprint on the history and evolution of this nation. However when two are compared against one another, some rather surprising similarities may be found. Even better, is what happens when two presidents are compared and they are from the same political party but separated by a large numbers of years between them. In doing this, not only do we see the difference between the two but the interesting evolution of political idea in one party.

    Read More

  • Thirteen Days by Robert F. Kennedy

    779 Words  | 2 Pages

    The account is told from Robert F. Kennedy's point of view. Kennedy was a key player in the decisions made during the thirteen days of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Kennedy believed that the United States should try and resolve the Cuban Missile Crisis peacefully and that the United States needed to try and avoid resolving to violent measures. Kennedy took over for his brother, the President, on many occasions. He led important meetings and tried to negotiate an understanding with the other cabinet members who were involved.

    Read More

  • Kennedy Assassination Cause And Effect

    1100 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Kennedy Administration consists of a series of “what if” moments. What if moments such as what if Kennedy sent troops during the Bay of Pigs or what if Kennedy listened to his advisors during the Cuban Missile Crisis serve as some examples. Coupled with this “what if” perception, the more time passes since the incidents, the more complex the possibilities become. History is based on contingencies, a random catalyst, and the effects of prior actions. Every action is based on, the often random, event before it, and said action goes on to influence events later on in the historical timeline.

    Read More

  • Presidential Spectacle Analysis

    843 Words  | 2 Pages

    In this article Bruce Miroff explains what a presidential spectacle is and how it relates to the government of the United States and its presidents. A spectacle is a kind of symbolic event, one in which particular details stand for broader and deeper meanings. At spectacle also presents intriguing and often dominating characters not in static poses but through actions that establish their public identities. A spectacle does not permit the audience to interrupt the action and redirect its meaning. The most distinctive characteristic of a spectacle is that the actions that constitute it are meaningful not for what they achieve but for what they signify. What is important is that they be understandable and impressive to the spectators. The mass

    Read More

  • Thirteen Days: The Cuban Missile Crisis

    693 Words  | 2 Pages

    Robert F. Kennedy's chilling account of his experiences with his brother, President John F. Kennedy over thirteen days in October of 1962 give an idea to the reader of just how alarmingly close our country came to nuclear war. Kennedy sums up the Cuban Missile Crisis as "a confrontation between two atomic nations...which brought the world to the abyss of nuclear destruction and the end of mankind."1 The author's purpose for writing this memoir seems to be to give readers an idea of the danger confronted during the Cuban Missile Crisis and to reflect on the lessons we should learn from it as a country, and for future members of government.

    Read More

  • John F. Kennedy's Life, Struggles, and Accomplishments

    868 Words  | 2 Pages

    Now that John F. Kennedy started political leadership after the war, Kennedy was elected for House of Representatives. With Kennedy’s younger brother as his campaign manager they worked together fo...

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of John Kennedy's Inaugural Address

    949 Words  | 2 Pages

    John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address is a puissant speech that conveys a mighty theme. The steady use of fervent dialect stimulates in the crowd a sense of esteem and obligation, which makes the speech even more impressive. The structure of the diction enhances the ability for all people of the audience to connect. Beginning with an intimate remark and closing with a broad regard, marks the address as both authentic and propelling. Nevertheless, what is most effective is Kennedy’s skill to access the atmosphere of the crowd and examine the circumstances of the juncture that is primarily the cause for the prosperity of this distinguished

    Read More

  • The Modern Presidency:an Evolution

    3133 Words  | 7 Pages

    The presidency of the United Sates of America has been an evolving office since the term of our first president, George Washington. This evolution has occurred because of the changing times and the evolution of society itself, but also because of the actions of the men who have become president. Starting in the 20th century, most have referred to the presidency as the modern presidency due to changes in both a president's power and the way that the office itself is viewed. As the office of the president has evolved so has who can become president evolved. Yet, even today there are certain individuals who because of their gender or race have yet to hold the office of the presidency. The men that have been president in our modern era have all had faults and greatness, some having more of one than of the other. The modern presidency is an office that many aspire to, but that few hold. The evolution of the office of the presidency has been one from that of a traditional role to that of a modern role that is forever evolving.

    Read More

  • The Impact of the Watergate Scandal

    1381 Words  | 3 Pages

    The years leading up to the 1972 election were filled with new political tactics. Going into the election year, President Nixon seemed like he could never lose the second term election after successfully negotiating with Vietnam, Beijing, and Russia to improve international relations (Emery 4). Raising international toughness made Nixon seem like the most worthy person to stay president. Fred Emery analyses in his novel Watergate: The Corruption of American Politics and the Fall of Richard Nixon, the president was also setting up the first summit meeting in history with Soviet Union Presidents (3). There seemed to be nothing capable of holding the seemingly responsible man back. However, this assurance came with massive consequences. The absolute certainty that Nixon would be reelected fueled the lies and abuse of power by the Nixon government (Emery 195). As the outlook of landslide winnings took over the White House, the moral reasoning, “the end justifies the means” became more prevalent. Nixon was obsessed with winning and being successful. Under his command his staff did whatever possible to ...

    Read More

  • The 1950s and the 1960s

    947 Words  | 2 Pages

    Politics in the 1950s began with the election of President Eisenhower, the first Republican president in a long while. He was a tradition adhering man and was conservative in his thinking. He was a very cautious president, who was thought to leave all of the hard work to his aides. He was a well liked man and was very down-to-earth. However, he did not take action as he should, and that lack of leadership caused our country to stumble a little bit. Unlike the political life of Eisenhower, John Fitzgerald Kennedy broke o...

    Read More

  • The Role of John F. Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis

    1743 Words  | 4 Pages

    Perhaps the most critical moment that had occurred to the United States and the world of the last century is the Cuban Missile Crisis. The significance of this event was that it had brought the world to the closest it could ever be to a nuclear war. Millions of lives, cultures and infrastructure would have been lost if it was not splendidly dealt with. Yet, a man was able to prevent this devastation, and he was none other than President John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) of the United States. How was he significant to the event? This research paper will discuss it with the points that are based on JFK’s characteristics. Hence, to provide an overview of this paper; the outbreak of nuclear warfare was prevented in the Cuban Missile Crisis specifically by John F. Kennedy’s many distinguished characteristics.

    Read More

  • The American Presidency: Evolution in Time

    2445 Words  | 5 Pages

    Genovese A., Michael. "'What Have You Done For Me Lately?: The Demands Placed On The American Presidency.' National Forum 80 (2000): 30-40.

    Read More

  • Presidential Power

    450 Words  | 1 Pages

    Richard E. Neustadt, the author of Presidential Power, addresses the politics of leadership and how the citizens of the United States rate the performance of the president's term. We measure his leadership by saying that he is either "weak or "strong" and Neustadt argues that we have the right to do so, because his office has become the focal point of politics and policy in our political system. Neustadt brings to light three main points: how we measure the president, his strategy of presidential influence, and how to study them both. Today we deal with the President himself and his influence on government action. The president now includes about 2000 men and women, the president is only one of them, but his performance can not be measured without focusing on himself.

    Read More

More about Inside The Oval Office Summary

Open Document