Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Figures and Tables
- Preface
- 1 The Nature of Presidential Representation
- 2 The Centrist and Partisan Theories of Presidential Representation
- 3 Measuring Mass Preferences and Presidential Issue Stances
- 4 Evaluating the Centrist versus Partisan Models of Presidential Representation
- 5 Presidential Persuasion and the Mass Public
- 6 Centrism, Partisanship, and Public Approval of the President's Job Performance
- 7 The Efficacy for American Democracy of Noncentrist, Partisan Presidential Representation
- References
- Index
4 - Evaluating the Centrist versus Partisan Models of Presidential Representation
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Figures and Tables
- Preface
- 1 The Nature of Presidential Representation
- 2 The Centrist and Partisan Theories of Presidential Representation
- 3 Measuring Mass Preferences and Presidential Issue Stances
- 4 Evaluating the Centrist versus Partisan Models of Presidential Representation
- 5 Presidential Persuasion and the Mass Public
- 6 Centrism, Partisanship, and Public Approval of the President's Job Performance
- 7 The Efficacy for American Democracy of Noncentrist, Partisan Presidential Representation
- References
- Index
Summary
In this chapter the measures of presidential issue liberalism and public mood described in Chapter 3 are used to evaluate the theoretical models of presidential representation described in Chapter 2 empirically. In particular, I shall be concerned with whether and how mass preferences affect presidential issue stances through time.
From either a centrist or a partisan standpoint, changing presidential issue stances can be viewed as an aspect of democratic representation. Under centrist theory the president is the single nationally elected representative in the American system and should express issue stances that appeal to the larger public. To do otherwise invites loyalty to the opposing party and a reduction in popular support. Thus, centrist theory would predict that presidential issue stances should remain reasonably consistent with mass preferences.
Under partisan theory presidents represent narrower interests that they may feel are consistent with their own conception of the national interest. Presidents are elected to lead. Leadership often implies moving the mass public away from their current issue stances. Under partisan theory presidents are not passive responders to the mass public, but should often attempt to persuade the public toward their own positions and those of their political parties. Thus, the question of how presidents fulfill their role as democratic representatives, either as responders or leaders, is the overarching concern.
Given that the measure of presidential liberalism used in this chapter is grounded in presidential rhetoric, an ancillary concern is to understand why modern presidents engage in a permanent campaign.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Myth of Presidential Representation , pp. 81 - 119Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009