Why presidents fail

Abstract

Introduction : presidential fiascoes -- Reputation : Eisenhower and the U-2 flights -- Power stakes : Kennedy and the Bay of Pigs -- Compellence : Johnson and the Vietnam escalation -- Command : Ford and the Mayaguez -- Rhetoric : Carter and the energy crisis -- Prerogative : Reagan and the Iran-Contra affair -- Gamesmanship : Bush and the budget -- Program innovation : Clinton and health care -- Parallel governance : Bush and Iraqi WMD -- Presidents unbound : crises of authority and legitimacy -- Risk and resilience : toward a White House learning curve