GEORGE W. BUSH AS PRESIDENTIAL LEADER
This research paper examines the capacity and skills of President George W. Bush (Bush) for leading the United States effectively during the crisis created by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington and related threats. Prior to the occurrence of the events of September 11, 2001, the extent of Bush's Presidential leadership potential was very much in doubt owing in large part to the public perception of him created during the recent presidential electoral campaign, the post-election dispute and Bush's performance during his first eight months in office. After a somewhat shaky start, Bush responded well to the crisis of September 11 and displayed many of the skills and characteristics of an effective President in dealing with the threat of terrorism. However, it is much too soon to conclude that he will be regarded by history as an outstanding presidential leader.
According to Greenstein, Professor Richard Neustadt, a leading student of presidential leadership in the 1960s, popularized the view that in the United States, "the presidency is the central institution of the political system and that a strong, energetic president is necessary to make the system work" (315). Greenstein agrees: "American presidents strongly influence public policy," but he adds, "the impact of the president is almost invariably a function of the personal leadership qualities he brings to and displays in office, as well as the political context of the presidency" (1).
By these standards, Bush did not appear before September 11 to possess many of the qualities associated in the past with above average presidential leadership nor did the prevailing circumstances especially favor the display of such talents. The son of a former President George H. Bush, Bush gave the impression that in large measure his prominence was due less to his own abilities and efforts an...