The Perception of Presidents

Paper Summary:

The paper shows how both John F. Kennedy and Bush faced similar challenges while in office regarding their policies that were unpopular. The paper goes on to show how Bush's inability to deliver speeches are at the heart of public debate and criticism while Kennedy is remembered in a positive light. The paper therefore concludes that the ability to deliver speeches appears to be a major contributing factor that influences public perceptions of the President's ability to do his job.

Outline:
Official Challenges
Differences in Perception

From the Paper:

"John F. Kennedy stands as one of the nation's great orators of all time. In contrast, President Bush is known for his bumbling speeches, uttering phrases such as mixing up perseverance and preservation, subliminate when he means subliminal, or his famous, "I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family" . Bush's speeches cannot compare with JFK's famous words, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country" .
"Both JFK and Bush won their Presidencies by a thin margin . Their public image was that of being inexperienced with no record from which to judge them. Both were products of upper class privilege and Ivy League Schools . Despite all of these similarities, they were judged differently by the American public."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Associated Press. Bush denies magazine's suggestion of dyslexia. September 12, 2000. Web posted at: 10:12 AM EDT (1412 GMT). CNN.COM. accessed June 11, 2008 ; available from http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/09/12/bush.dyslexia.ap/index.html
• Crock, S. "Analyzating" Bush's Grey Matter. MARCH 12, 2004 . Affairs of State. Accessed June 11, 2008 ; available from http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/mar2004/nf20040312_0969_db056.htm
• Blaum, P. and Fong, V. Bush's media challenges recall those of JFK. Monday, April 5, 2004. Penn State Live. Accessed June 11, 2008; available from http://live.psu.edu/story/6272
• Eland, I. Ivan Eland compares George W. Bush's performance to other post-Second World War presidents. July 16, 2006.. Calgary Herald. Accessed June 11, 2008 ; available from http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=1766
• John F. Kennedy. Address before the American Society of Newspaper Editors. President John F. Kennedy. Statler Hilton Hotel, Washington, D.C. April 20, 1961. Accessed June 11, 2008 ; available from http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resources/Archives/Reference+Desk/Speeches/JFK/003POF03NewspaperEditors04201961.htm

More papers on The Perception of Presidents:

• Analytical Essay # 42903 : "The Axis of Evil Theory"
• Persuasive Essay # 145840 : "The Charismatic Leadership of John F. Kennedy"
• Essay # 31693 : "The Media and the President"

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