Rivals for Power: Presidential-Congressional Relations [Paperback]

James A. Thurber (Editor, Contributor), Gary Andres (Contributor), Richard E. Cohen (Contributor), Roger H. Davidson (Contributor), Nathan Dietz (Contributor), C Lawrence Evans (Contributor), Louis Fisher (Contributor), Patrick J. Griffin (Contributor), Lee H. Hamilton (Contributor), Walter J. Oleszek (Contributor), Leon E. Panetta (Contributor), James P. Pfiffner (Contributor), Stephen J. Wayne (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0742509915 | ISBN-13: 978-0742509917 | Edition: 2nd

The first President Bush faced a long-entrenched Democratic majority in both houses of Congress. The first term Clinton entered into a unified government for the first time in many years, but all that changed in the midterm elections of 1994. The second President Bush faces a closely divided government whose balance could shift at any time. Through it all, the Presidential-Congressional rivalry continues unabated. What is it about the institutional relationship between Congress and the Presidency that ensures conflict even in the face of necessary cooperation? Here, well-known scholars and practitioners of Congressional-Presidential relations come together to explore both branches of government and what unites as well as divides them. Highlights include chapters on budgetary politics in a time of surplus, the impacts of campaign message and election mandates, and Congressional-Presidential relations during transitions. Case studies of budget battles, health care task forces, and armed conflicts in foreign lands lend concrete detail to political theory. First hand experience on the Hill and in the Oval Office--and everywhere in between--is reflected in each chapter. Although nothing can rival election 2000 for its challenges to both Congress and the Presidency, Rivals For Power shows how even an extraordinary electoral result is subject to the rules and rigors of Washington's built-in rivalry.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This excellent collection of essays by many of the leading scholars in the field provides a roadmap for understanding Presidential/Congressional relations at the turn of the century. Using a variety of research approaches and covering a broad range of topics, these authors tackle the central problems of governing in an era of divided partisan control of Washington.... (Canon, David T. )

President Clinton's impeachment and the remarkable 2000 election underscore the continuing, complicated competition between the White House and Congress. James Thurber's Rivals for Power is written not only by those who study the history of Washington policy-making, but also those who helped create that history. Foreign policy negotiations are seen through the eyes of a former House Foreign Affairs chairman; federal spending by a former Budget director; building congressional alliances by a former top White House aide charged with doing just that. This insider's guide is thoughtful, readable, and sometimes surprising--an invaluable resource for scholars, students, journalists, C-SPAN addicts, and political junkies of all stripes. (Susan Page, Washington Bureau Chief, USA Today )

This outstanding collection of original essays provides genuine insights into the historical and current relationship of the President and Congress from both leading scholars and practitioners. Fresh, challenging, and filled with many gems this volume should be read by students and by policy makers on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. (Roger B. Porter )

The newspapers and television news are filled with stories about gridlock and rivalry between Congress and the presidency. But only in good political science such as is practiced by James Thurber and his colleagues can readers see the historical, political, and constitutional foundations of conflict between the political branches and learn to appreciate the political skills that underpin cooperative policy-making in the American political system. (Nelson W. Polsby )

This excellent collection of essays by many of the leading scholars in the field provides a roadmap for understanding Presidential/Congressional relations at the turn of the century. Using a variety of research approaches and covering a broad range of topics, these authors tackle the central problems of governing in an era of divided partisan control of Washington. (Canon, David T. )

About the Author

James A. Thurber is professor of government and founder and director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers; 2nd edition (October 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0742509915
• ISBN-13: 978-0742509917
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,434,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)