• obviously of interest in a one-person office

• Presidential character may be assessed -- and predicted -- by a simplified system of character, worldview and style.

basic orientation towards life

results of self-esteem (willingness to accept criticism, think rationally, learn on job)

Speak directly to media,

face to face with staff & politicians

read, write & calculate by himself

manage endless flow of details on his desk

link between thoughts & unconscious needs

these traits persist over time

activity = level of energy devoted to job (active or passive)

affect = level of satisfaction obtained (positive or negative)

therefore, four types:

Active-positive

energetic, enjoys his work

productive, flexible, adjusts

confident, feels good about her/himself

JFK, FDR, Ford, Carter

Passive-positive

receptive, laid-back

seeks agreement, mutes dissent

pessimistic and feels unloved

compensates by excessive optimism, eliciting agreement of others

Active-negative

works hard but does not enjoy

intense, compulsive, aggressive

pursues public actions in self-interested manner

insecure, tries to overcome feelings of inadequacy & impotence

Nixon, Johnson, Wilson and Lincoln

Passive-negative

abhors politics

withdraws from interpersonal relations

ill-suited for political office, especially presidency

low self-esteem, feels useless

takes refuge in general principles & SOPs.

Eisenhower

reductionism: Too simple?

Ike really passive-negative? (Barber) or active-positive (Greenstein)?

Wilson and Lincoln really active-negative (Barber)?

Why don't all active positive presidents do well?

Ford & Carter

too many non-psych factors in the way

Bush (41) unabnle to respond to economic recession 1992.

Clinton able to respond to public mood in 1992 and then 1994.

Stanley Renshon: Ambition, Integrity & Relatedness

character style from these, distinguishes individuals in working with those around them