All the Presidents' Words: The Bully Pulpit and the Creation of the Virtual Presidency

Traces the rise and development of the rhetorical presidency, from FDR to Bill Clinton, and explores the impact each president's approach to speechwriting has had on his ability to govern. Examines public and private drama surrounding historic speeches related to WWII, the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and Vietnam, and especially focuses on how the speechwriting process changed when Nixon took office and relied on professional speechwriters. Argues that when speechwriters have no policy-making responsibilities, speeches they produce reflect a serious disconnect between what the president says and does. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.