Confrontation and Compromise

"In Confrontation and Compromise, Jason D. Mycoff and Joseph A. Pika examine the relationship between President George W. Bush and the U.S. Congress in order to shed light on a critical element in American politics: leadership. In a series of illuminating case studies, the authors make clear that individual leaders in both Congress and the administration provide the direction, coherence, and energy that leadership requires. Specifically, the cases examine long-standing policy issues that had been the center of controversy prior to Bush's election in 2000 (education reform and campaign finance reform); issues that arose in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 (intelligence reform and creation of the Department of Homeland Security); and issues wherein the administration found it necessary to make both tactical and policy reversals (the failed effort to reform Social Security and the response to Hurricane Katrina)." "Classroom tested in the authors' teaching of courses on Congress and the presidency, the case studies in Confrontation and Compromise offer students an engaging and informative look at the critical role that leadership plays in achieving legislative success."--BOOK JACKET.