183 pages ; 25 cm

"Power and Prudence is a study in presidential evaluation. It represents a challenge to the conventional wisdom that has developed on the first Bush administration and presents an important reinterpretation of the leadership of a poorly understood president. This thought-provoking analysis suggests that the circumstances of his presidency may have limited Bush's opportunities to articulate or achieve far-reaching policy objectives. These circumstances included the lack of an electoral mandate, Bush's succession to a very popular and ideological leader, his inheritance of a daunting budget deficit, and the situation of divided government. The authors' interpretation of the Bush administration is supported by interviews with members of Bush's White House staff and the limited archival record thus far opened to scholars. A read into the workings of a contemporary presidency, Power and Prudence will appeal to presidential scholars as well as the politically minded reader."--Jacket

Includes bibliographical references (pages 157-176) and index

Incrementalism in theory and practice -- Incremental leadership in the Bush presidency -- The public presidency of George H.W. Bush -- Information control in the Bush administration -- Prudence as public policy : evaluating the Bush presidency

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