The contemporary presidency, and the nation it governs, is more dependent on the individual in office than ever before. The Progression of the American Presidency examines in detail the institution of the American presidency from the selection process, to the president's individual responsibilities, to his interactions with other actors in the political arena. Twombly argues that regardless of how well suited a particular individual may be for a specific time in office, he or she will leave an indelible imprint on the office for those who follow. Each successful president changed the institution in which he served by expanding its scope and power and raising the bar of public (and historical) expectations. Both scholarly and conversational, The Progression of the American Presidency is essential reading for anyone interested in the evolving state of the Oval Office.

This book, written in a more conversational style, puts in a single volume most of what any faculty member would need to teach an upper level undergraduate course on the presidency

PART I: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND Introduction Historical Context PART II: PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SELECTION - INTRODUCTION AND PART I A Brief History and Some Definitions Presidential Selection - Part II Campaign Finance The National Nominating Conventions: Are They Worth It and What's Next? Presidential Selection V - The General Election: So You've Got the Nomination, Now What? PART III: THE INDIVIDUAL PRESIDENCY You've been Elected, Why is This Guy Asking How You Feel All the Time? Who is this Character? The Presidential Advisory System PART IV: THE PRESIDENCY IN ISOLATION The President and the Bureaucracy Presidential Decision Making PART V: THE PRESIDENCY INTERACTING The President and the Media The President and the Public - Popularity and Rhetoric The President and Congress The President and the Courts The President and Policymaking: Domestic, Economic, and Foreign PART VII: CONCLUSION Hope and Change and the Future of the Presidency