The Riddle of Power

Los Angeles Times reporter, Robert Shogan discussed his book, The Riddle of Power: Presidential Leadership from Truman to Bush. Based on his thirty years in journalism, Mr. Shogan decided to assess the last seven presidents of the United States to try and solve the riddle of how presidents translate their constitutional power into working authority. Mr. Shogan also attempted to determine how some presidents become respected, powerful leaders and other seem to be discredited or disgraced. Based on the three criteria of ideology, values, and character, he determined that Truman, Kennedy, Nixon, and Reagan had successful presidency, while Eisenhower, Johnson, Ford, and Carter did not. He has yet to make a determination on Bush, which will depend on how Bush handles the federal deficit and the post-Cold War world order. close