Evaluating the Obama Presidency From Transformational Goals to Governing Realities

This book offers an important contribution to the emerging literature on the Obama presidency, with both scholarly depth as well as topical breadth.

Lori Cox Han, Doy B. Henley Chair of American Presidential Studies and Director, Presidential Studies Program, Chapman University

The contributors in this study understand the goal of Obama's leadership was specifically transformational, and that this created both opportunities and challenges for him. They understand that governing is hard, and that understanding it requires attention to administration/ policy/ leadership. And they understand that elections matter and that money matters to elections.

Mary E. Stuckey, Professor, Communication Arts & Sciences, Penn State University

This edited volume addresses a fundamental question: What is the nature of the relationship between campaign promises and governance? Through case studies of the Obama administration's efforts to translate bold and ambitious campaign promises into effective policymaking and governance, the volume makes an important contribution to the scholarly literature on the Obama administration.

David A. Yalof, Vice Provost of Academic Affairs and Professor of Government, College of William and Mary