presidential history

The Unlikely Success of James Garfield in an Age of Division

by C.W. Goodyear

In a bitterly divided and restive political climate, James Garfield was too old, too esconced in the Washington establishment, and too conciliatory to be a credible candidate or a successful President. But he did ultimately change politics, though he didn't live to see it. 

Comparing the Trump – DeSantis Race to the Republicans' 1912 Debacle is a Stretch... Right?

by Adam Burns

The whiplash of Ron DeSantis's rise and fall against Trump in the polls could be nothing in comparison to the political shockwave that would result if the Florida governor succeeds in taking the GOP nomination, but Trump doesn't go quietly—the falling-out between Roosevelt and Taft shows how it might go. 

First Round of Obama Administration Oral Histories Focus on Political Fault Lines and Policy Tradeoffs

The first 17 of nearly 500 interviews with Obama Administration officials was released this week, as part of a Columbia University project. 

Should Jimmy Carter's Coming Departure Change How We Memorialize Presidents?

by Lindsay M. Chervinsky

"When does respect and gratitude transfer from the office to the person—and when does that become inappropriate in a republic?" A presidential historian argues for emphasizing Carter's service while a private citizen as a way of emphasizing that the president is a first-among-equals citizen. 

Thomas Jefferson Would be Following the Met Gala

by Camille Davis

Finely attuned to the symbolic politics of fashion as the president of a young, republican nation, Thomas Jefferson probably had more in common with Karl Lagerfeld than you think. 

It's Not Clear if Winning in 2024 Could Shield Trump from a Conviction

by Olivia B. Waxman

The lack of clear precedent about the relationship between the federal and state law enforcement systems and the timing of Trump's indictment and potential trial mean that the election will be ensnared in a potential constitutional crisis. 

Douglas Brinkley on a Presidential First: Indictment

NPR's A Martinez talks to presidential historian Douglas Brinkley about the historical significance of the indictment of former President Donald Trump.

Why We Don't Remember Edith Galt Wilson as the "First Woman President"

by Richard Bluttal

While the First Lady ran the executive branch while concealing the extent of Woodrow Wilson's ill health after a stroke, her unofficial stewardship raises too many questions about secrecy and its consequences to be celebrated today. 

From "Birth of a Nation" to "Till": The Politics of White House Screenings

The Bidens hosted a group of about 100 historians, civil rights leaders, and members of Congress to screen the biographical film adaptation of the story of Emmett Till and his mother's quest for justice. 

The Carter Presidency Wasn't How we Remember It

by Kai Bird

While he was pessimistic about the moral quality of politics, a biographer says that the 39th president was capable of ruthless pragmatism that helped him achieve more than he is credited for, though it cost him reelection. 

From a Celebration of the First President to a Celebration of the Presidency

Nothing, from the date to the name to the punctuation, has been straightforward in the celebration of Presidents' Day (which is officially observed by the federal government as Washington's Birthday), says biographer Alexis Coe. 

One Term, Two Presidencies: Biden's Prospects under Divided Government

by Michael A. Genovese

If recent patterns prove out, the second half of Biden's term will be marked by executive orders with little prospect of significant legislation. 

How the Baton is Passed (Review)

by Lindsay M. Chervinsky

David Marchick has headed the Partnership for Public Service's Center for Presidential Transition; he is the author of a new book that presents his practical knowledge of what is needed for the transfer of power to run smoothly between one administration and the next. 

Steve Knott: Coming to Terms with "Camelot"

by Tom Nichols

Tom Nichols interviews presidential historian Steve Knott, who discusses how the JFK legacy has shifted with political trends and how the JFK Library has sometimes put politics over history. 

Now More than Ever, America Must Commit to Ensure the Transition of Presidential Power

by David Marchick and Valerie Smith Boyd

The latest evidence presented by the January 6 Commission underscore the urgent need for all parties to renew the commitment the core principle of an orderly transition of power from one elected president to another.

Ten Years Ago, Barack Obama's Debate Choke Threatened His Reelection

by Cary Heinz

Barack Obama wasn't unprepared for his first debate against Mitt Romney in 2012, but he stumbled nonetheless. Ten years later, his performance offers a warning to incumbents of the challenges they face in coming out winners from the spectacle. 

CRS Scholar: 22nd Amendment's Roots in Partisanship, Civil Rights Opposition

Stephen W. Stathis of the Congressional Research Service traces the partisan politics behind presidential term limits, from Ulysses Grant to the passage of the 22nd Amendment as Harry Truman sought to continue the New Deal program. 

How Long Until We Hear "Madam President"?

by Lindsay M. Chervinsky

In the early republic, the perception of ambition was a negative for a political candidate, especially for president. That norm mostly survives today in its application to women candidates. 

The Reputation of Presidents Takes a Hit in Their Second Term

by Ronald L. Feinman

The 2024 presidential campaign is fast approaching, with speculation rampant about whether Biden should seek a second term. Although his political fortunes have improved recently, the record of second-term presidents might give him pause. 

President as Change Agent: Breakers vs. Builders

by Michael A. Genovese

While Joe Biden has recently enjoyed policy successes that point toward a revival of the Democrats' political fortunes, his brand of change is handicapped by a lack of excitement. Will Americans ultimately choose a "disruptor" over an incrementalist?