Suchergebnisse

Preface -- Introduction -- Rating presidents and assessing Obama / Robert P. Watson -- Rhetoric and image / Casey Malone Maugh -- Obama's Lincoln: image to ideology / William D. Pederson -- The optimist and the realist / R. Ward Holder -- Obamania in Europe / Marie des Neiges Léonard -- The first hundred days / Sean Savage -- Relations with Congress / Max J. Skidmore -- The firing of General Stanley McChrystal / Douglas M. Brattebo -- The 2010 midterm election / Matthew N. Green -- The u.s. auto industry rescue / Steven A. Stuglin -- Environmental policy and global climate change / Byron W. Daynes & Glen Sussman -- Food and agricultural policy / Julie A. Lester -- Health care reform / Michael K. Gusmano -- Response to the Gulf oil spill / Matthew A. Williams & Brian Richard -- Inherited wars: Afghanistan and Iraq / Tom Lansford & Jack Covarrubias -- Iran policy / Robert J. Pauly -- China policy / De-Yuan Kao -- Counterterrorism policy / Leonard Cutler -- Obama, Libya, and war powers / Louis Fisher -- The policy czar debate / Justin S. Vaughn & José D. Villalobos -- The use of unilateral directives / Graham G. Dodds -- Vice president Joe Biden / Richard M. Yon -- First Lady Michelle Obama / Robert P. Watson -- Conclusion

Martha Washington and the creation of the role of first lady / Patricia Brady -- Political parties : first ladies and social events in the formation of the federal government / Catherine Allgor -- Betty Ford and the transformation of the role of first lady / Mary Linehan -- True women : the roles and lives of antebellum presidential wives Sarah Polk, Margaret Taylor, Abigail Fillmore, and Jane Pierce / Elizabeth Lorelei Thacker-Estrada -- Edith Bolling Galt Wilson : the protective steward / James S. McCallops -- Bess W. Truman : the reluctant first lady / Raymond Frey -- Eleanor Roosevelt: an unlikely path to political activist / Susan Roth Breitzer -- Policy experts : congressional testimony and influence of first ladies / Colton C. Campbell and Sean E. McCluskie -- First ladies and U.S. foreign policy / Glenn Hastedt -- The evolution of the role and office of the first lady : the movement toward integration with the White House office / Anthony J. Eksterowicz and Kristen Paynter -- First ladies and policy making : crossing the public/private divide / Kay M. Knickrehm and Robin Teske -- Copresident or codependent? the rise and rejection of presidential couples since World War II / Gil Troy -- Hillary's choices : the first ladyship of Hillary Rodham Clinton and the future of the office / Myra G. Gutin -- Sharing the bully pulpit : breast cancer and first lady Betty Ford's leadership / Maryanne Borrelli -- Something old, something new--Laura Bush's surprising political first ladyship / Robert P. Watson -- Public perceptions of Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton : what the data tell us / Valerie A. Sulfaro

Women have made great progress in electoral politics both in the United States and around the world, and at all levels of public office. However, although a number of women have led their countries in the modern era and a growing number of women are winning gubernatorial, senatorial, and congressional races, the United States has yet to elect a female president, nor has anyone come close. This paper considers the prospects for electing a woman president in 2008 and the challenges facing Hillary Clinton and Condoleezza Rice—potential frontrunners from both major parties&nmash;given the historical experiences of women who pursued the nation's highest office.

Historically, the first lady has largely been omitted form consideration by presidential scholars. As such, the lion's share of textbook on the presidency, biographies of presidents, and scholarly conferences in political science and bistory failed to seriously consider the potential influence first ladies had on their husbands and White House decision making. Yet, a subfield of study is rapidly developing, and a compelling case exists for the systematic study of the presidential spouses. So too do many questions remain in regards to the direction and nature of the "field" of study. This article examines the current state of first lady scholarship and the challenges facing those doing research on the first ladies and offers proposals to guide further study.