Confrontation and Compromise

The authors examine the relationship between President George W. Bush and the U.S. Congress to explore political leadership in American politics. Six case studies make clear that individual leaders in both the Congress and the administration provide the direction, coherence, and energy that leadership requires. Two case studies concentrate on solutions devised to resolve long-standing policy issues that had been the center of controversy even before Bush's election: education reform and campaign finance reform. Two cases focus on issues that arose in the aftermath of 9/11: intelligence reform and creation of the Department of Homeland Security. Two are drawn from Bush's second term: the response to Hurricane Katrina and the failed effort to reform Social Security.

The authors draw several general conclusions. Direction, coherence and energy are provided by multiple national leaders, not just by the president. Like other presidents, Bush sought to dominate national policy-making but ultimately found it necessary to effect tactical and policy reversals, actions inconsistent with his image as an uncompromising man of principle. Legislative success often depended on the skills of Bush's allies and particularly on the efforts of bipartisan and sometimes bicameral "tandems" who forged compromises across party and institutional lines that made progress possible.

Jason D. Mycoff is assistant professor at the University of Delaware, teaches courses on American politics and research methods. His research focuses on congressional committees in the lawmaking process and institutional relationships between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Joseph A. Pika is professor at the University of Delaware, teaches American politics with a research specialization in the presidency. Pika is co-author (with John Maltese) of The Politics of the Presidency and The Presidential Contest. In addition to his academic career, Pika has served on numerous state committees and task forces including eight years on the Delaware State Board of Education, four as president of the Board.