Effective presidential leadership, particularly since the modern presidency emerged with Franklin Roosevelt, hinges on several key personal attributes. These include proficiency as a public communicator, the ability to organize and rally a team, political skill in navigating the political landscape, and a commitment to a definite vision of public policy. These qualities enable presidents to effectively manage the expanded scope and influence of the federal government, which significantly grew during and after the New Deal and World War II.
The strength of a president's communication skills is crucial for engaging the public. For instance, George Washington's widely recognized virtue and leadership were instrumental during the nation's founding, while later presidents like George W. Bush learned that minimizing the teaching and preaching aspect of their role could hinder public approval. Beyond communication, a president's organizational capacity involves their ability to form an effective team, leveraging advice and information from diverse viewpoints, as exemplified by Eisenhower's structured approach to national security deliberations. In contrast, some presidents, like Nixon and Reagan, were less comfortable with open disagreement among their advisors.
Political skill is essential for a president to operate effectively within Washington. This involves not only navigating Congress but also shaping the national policy agenda and exercising the power of the veto. The framers of the Constitution, such as Alexander Hamilton, recognized that even in "ordinary men," self-interest and ambition could be channeled to promote public good through institutional design, like the four-year term and re-eligibility. While Founding Fathers like Washington set a high bar for virtue, the constitutional framework was designed to account for future leaders who might not possess such extraordinary character, ensuring checks and balances like Senate approval for appointments and treaties, and the possibility of impeachment.
Ultimately, the blend of character and institutional design has been critical to the presidency's success. While the founders hoped for leaders of "ability and virtue," they also designed a system that could accommodate more "ordinary men" by directing their ambitions towards public service. However, as the system of selecting candidates has become more populist, there's been a shift towards leadership defined by personal popularity rather than purely constitutional duties, highlighting the ongoing tension between a president's individual qualities and the institutional framework that governs the office.
