The Accidental Presidents of the United States
How "accidental" world leaders have faced the challenges of leading major democracies without being voted in.
How Nixon Paved the Way for Trump
Richard Nixon's voters had a lot in common with Trump's, especially in their idealization of the self-sufficient, independent American businessperson.
What’s in a Popularity Rating?
A leader's popularity usually has more to do with the market, the economy, and other external factors than with the leader's personality.
When FDR Tried to Pack the Courts
Pushing New Deal legislation, FDR proposed that extra justices should be added to the Supreme Court, one for every sitting justice over the age of seventy.
What Makes This SCOTUS Nomination Unique?
Presidents have always chosen Supreme Court nominees who agree with their political beliefs. But they've gotten savvier about the selection process.
Should Politics be Civil?
Some political philosophers suggest that arguments about civility are a distraction from the real political issues.
Jimmy Carter and the Meaning of Malaise
In July of 1979, Jimmy Carter delivered a presidential address that was more like a sermon, urging America to reflect upon its meaning and purpose.
Did Barack Obama Deserve the Nobel Prize?
Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009. He took the award not as a reward for accomplishments but as a "call to action."
How Harry Truman Transformed the Vice Presidency
Initially viewed by his critics as a parochial, lackluster Midwestern politician, Harry Truman emerged as a president who oversaw grand historic events.
George Washington’s “Yelp Reviews”
Staying at inns allowed Washington to examine the state of the infrastructure for traveling in the new federal Republic. The only problem was, he hated it.