Presidential Leadership in Public Opinion
Causes and Consequences

This book looks at the factors that affect voters' perceptions of the president, presidential approval ratings, attitudes about Congress, and voter trust toward government.

Jeffrey E. Cohen (Author)

9781107443693, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 6 April 2015

222 pages, 56 b/w illus. 36 tables
23 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm, 0.31 kg

'Professor Cohen's book marks an important advance in how we study the public presidency. At the same time, it invites us to grapple further with some of the topic's most vexing features.' Bruce Miroff, Congress and the Presidency

Although presidents may have a difficult time actually leading the public and Congress, voters still desire strong leadership from their commander in chief. In Presidential Leadership in Public Opinion, Jeffrey E. Cohen argues that the perception of presidential leadership in American politics is affected not so much by what presidents accomplish but by whether voters think their president is a good leader. When assessing whether a president is a good leader, voters ask two questions: does the president represent me and the nation? And, is the president strong? Cohen shows that presidential interactions with Congress affect voter perceptions of presidential representation and strength. These perceptions have important implications for public attitudes about American politics. They affect presidential approval ratings, the performance of candidates in presidential elections, attitudes toward Congress, and trust in government. Perceptions of presidential leadership qualities have implications not only for the presidency but also for the larger political system.

1. The many meanings of presidential leadership
2. Evidence on the public demand for presidential leadership
3. Congressional sources of the president's leadership image
4. Success in Congress and perceptions of presidential strength
5. Presidential representation and public opinion
6. Presidential leadership and presidential elections
7. Perceptions of presidential leadership, trust in government, and attitudes toward Congress
8. Presidential leadership, public opinion, and American democracy.

Subject Areas: Constitution: government & the state [JPHC]