ABSTRACT
Chapter 6, “The Polarizing Two-Termers: George W. Bush and Barack Obama,” explores the character and leadership approaches of George W. Bush and Barack Obama. While these presidents were liked by their fellow partisans, opposition partisans failed to appreciate the character of their leadership. Their lack of political experience and dislike for negotiating and bargaining meant that these men were unable to adopt leadership approaches that moved them beyond the role of party leader. In this way, they failed to understand that playing the role of president required more from them than being themselves. Bush's case study centers on his decision to launch a war in Iraq in 2003. Obama's case study focuses on his budget negotiations with Congress in the lead-up to the debt ceiling showdown and the passage of the Budget Control Act of 2011.
