Author Question: What is the plebiscitary presidency, and how did it develop? Discuss the presidents who contributed ... (Read 46 times)

pane00 · **on:** Jul 9, 2018

What is the plebiscitary presidency, and how did it develop? Discuss the presidents who contributed to its establishment.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What event sparked the formation of the McGovernFraser Commission?

A)the creation of the Bull Moose party by Theodore Roosevelt
B)the corrupt bargain between John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay
C)thenomination of Hubert Humphrey at the 1968 Democratic Convention
D)the assassination of anti-war candidate Senator Robert Kennedy

Carliemb17 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 9, 2018

Answer to Question 1

The ideal answer should:
a. Define the plebiscitary presidency as a view of the presidency defined by the speeches, public appearances, press conferences, and the like that presidents perform before the American public.
b. Explain how the plebiscitary presidency began with Theodore Roosevelt and a shift to modern public relations, noting his use of the bully pulpit to shape public opinion and his efforts to reward loyal journalists with access.
c. Discuss how Woodrow Wilson established many of the modern conventions of the plebiscitary presidency, including his early arguments for increased presidential engagement with the public, the establishment of regular press conferences, and the role of the press in informing government of what the public was thinking.
d.Describe how FDR took Wilson's populist strategy even further by tapping the power of radio to bring his voice and opinion directly into the homes of Americans in addition to having those addresses filmed and inserted into news reels that were shown in movie theaters.
e. Identify FDR's role in using public opinion polls to adapt his legislative agenda as well as the creation of the full-time press secretary to manage the president's communications.

Answer to Question 2

C