Mr. President

How and Why the Founders Created a Chief Executive

Ray Raphael

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English

Random House USA Inc
22 January 2013

American War of Independence; Political science & theory; Constitutional & administrative law

The little-known story of the dramatic political maneuverings and personalities behind the creation of the office of the president, with ramifications that continue to this day.

The dramatic and penetrating story of the political maneuverings and personalities behind the creation of the office of the president, with ramifications that continue to this day.

For the first time, by focusing closely on the dynamic give-and-take at the Constitutional Convention, Ray Raphael reveals how politics and personalities cobbled together a lasting, but flawed, executive office. Remarkably, the hero of this saga is Gouverneur Morris, a flamboyant, peg-legged delegate who pushed through his agenda with amazing political savvy, and not a little deceit. Without Morris's perseverance, a much weaker American president would be appointed by Congress, serve for seven years, could not be reelected, and have his powers tightly constrained.

Charting the presidency as it evolved during the administrations of Washington, Adams, and Jefferson, Raphael shows how, given the Constitution's broad outlines, the president's powers could easily be augmented but rarely diminished. Today we see the result-an office that has become more sweeping, more powerful, and more inherently partisan than the framers ever intended. And the issues of 1787-whether the Electoral College, the president's war powers, or the extent of executive authority-continue to stir our political debates.

By: Ray Raphael
Imprint: Random House USA Inc
Dimensions: Height: 203mm, Width: 130mm, Spine: 18mm
Weight: 283g
ISBN: 9780307742384
ISBN 10: 0307742385
Pages: 336
Publication Date: 22 January 2013
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Ray Raphael's fifteen books include A People's History of the American Revolution- How Common People Shaped the Fight for Independence (2001) and Founding Myths- Stories That Hide Our Patriotic Past (2004). He is also coeditor of Revolutionary Founders- Rebels, Radicals, and Reformers in the Making of the Nation (2011). Having taught at Humboldt State University and College of the Redwoods and all subjects in a one-room public high school, he is now a full-time researcher and writer. He lives in Northern California.

Reviews for Mr. President: How and Why the Founders Created a Chief Executive

In Mr. President, historian Ray Raphael explores the birth and early molding of the presidency. The journey is an illuminating one, throwing off wisdom that resonates as the nation prepares to choose its president again. . . . Mr. President provides a rich harvest of insights for reflection during the next five months of political bloodletting. -- The Washington Post In Mr. President, Raphael . . . provides a careful, engaging and at times surprising account of the origins and early evolution of what is now the most powerful political office in the world. . . . Mr. President also presents lively and lucid lessons in civics. --Glenn Altschuler, Tulsa World In a time when many find themselves questioning the efficacy of the presidency (seemingly regardless of party affiliation), the eligibility of future candidates, and the efficiency of the election process, a look back at the origins of the highest office in the U.S. is particularly timely. In this engaging narrative, Raphael elucidates the goings-on of the Federal Convention. . . . Meticulously detailed and thoroughly researched--Raphael cites the papers of many icons of the nation's birth, such as Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin--this is a valuable read for Democrats and Republicans, as well as historians and those interested in contemporary American politics. -- Publishers Weekly Far from dryly legalistic, Raphael's presentation, with its context of the partisan 1790's, ensures the avid interest of early-republic buff. --Gilbert Taylor, Booklist Renowned historian Raphael delivers an authoritative biography of the Constitutional Convention and the herculean task faced by the representatives. . . . Raphael's exceptional history of the beginning years of the United States should be required reading, especially in an election year. -- Kirkus (*starred review*) It's not easy to find something new to say about the most powerful office in the world. Rays