Obama Presidency

Robert P. Watson is Professor of American Studies at Lynn University. His many books include George W. Bush: Evaluating the President at Midterm (coedited with Bryan Hilliard and Tom Lansford) and Life in the White House: A Social History of the First Family and the President's House, both also published by SUNY Press. At the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast, Jack Covarrubias is Assistant Professor of Political Science, and Tom Lansford is Professor of Political Science. Douglas M. Brattebo is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Hiram College.

• List of IllustrationsPrefacePART I. Introduction1. Rating Presidents and Assessing ObamaRobert P. WatsonPART II. Character and Identity2. Rhetoric and ImageCasey Malone Maugh3. Obama’s Lincoln: Image to IdeologyWilliam D. Pederson4. The Optimist and the RealistR. Ward Holder5. Obamania in EuropeMarie des Neiges LéonardPART III. Politics and Leadership6. The First Hundred DaysSean Savage7. Legislative LeadershipMax J. Skidmore8. The Firing of General Stanley McChrystalDouglas M. Brattebo9. 2010 Midterm ElectionMatthew N. GreenPART IV. Domestic Policy10. U.S. Auto Industry RescueSteven A. Stuglin11. Environmental Policy and Global Climate ChangeByron W. Daynes & Glen Sussman12. Food and Agricultural PolicyJulie A. Lester13. Health Care ReformMichael K. Gusmano14. Response to the Gulf Oil SpillMatthew A. Williams & Brian RichardPART V. Foreign Policy and National Security15. Inherited Wars: Afghanistan and IraqTom Lansford & Jack Covarrubias16. Iran PolicyRobert J. Pauly17. China PolicyDe-Yuan Kao18. Counterterrorism PolicyLeonard Cutler19. Obama, Libya, and War PowersLouis FisherPART VI. The Obama Administration20. The Policy Czar DebateJustin S. Vaughn & José D. Villalobos21. Unilateral DirectivesGraham G. Dodds22. Vice President Joe BidenRichard M. Yon23. First Lady Michelle ObamaRobert P. WatsonPART VII. Conclusion24. Making HistoryDouglas M. Brattebo & Robert P. WatsonAppendix A: Barack Obama BiographyAppendix B: The Obama AdministrationList of ContributorsIndex

"The chapters, by an interesting array of scholars, are well written and provide information about a wide array of topics related to the Obama presidency … Highly recommended." — CHOICE"It is nice to see a book like this published, which examines the Obama presidency without all the vitriol or hate. The contributors do an excellent job of examining how well Obama has done as president in a scholarly manner … This is a book for people who want a more balanced view of President Obama." — San Francisco Book Review"This book provides one of the most comprehensive examinations of the Obama presidency that I have seen. The scope of coverage is impressive." — Michael A. Genovese, Loyola Marymount University