Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Throughout the Clinton presidency, the potent and personal metaphors of seduction and dating were frequently used to capture the relationships between the president and his advisers, his staff, his supporters, the media, and the American people. This paper asks why politics became so personalized, on numerous levels, during the Clinton presidency and given this focus how Clinton?s strengths and weaknesses as president can best be examined. To begin my analysis I discuss what I see as three competing interpretations of President Clinton, all of which shaped his presidency and may well shape his legacy. Then, in my conclusion I turn to the more reflective scholarship of Fred Greenstein to examine how we might move beyond reactive commentary.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: The paper examines the effect of the Clinton Factor on candidate choice in both 2000 presidential primaries and the November general election. The Clinton Factor--negative personal feelings about President Clinton--is examined with Voter News Service exit polls for 11 Democratic primaries and with National Election Study data for the presidential election. The paper examines several predictors, including Clinton's job performance, candidate images, Clinton's image, party identification, ideology, and electability. The results suggest that Clinton's image had a significant effect on primary voters and on general-election voters in the battleground states.

Publication Type: Proceeding

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: A basic reading of President Clinton’s North Korea (DPRK) policy showed a change from conflict early in his presidency to cooperation towards the end of his administration to achieve policy goals. Why did this happen? The predominant realist view argues that it was in the USA’s best interest in order to maintain power in the East Asian region. This view ignores the interworkings of the American political system. By using the diplomatic history method, I argue that Congress reasserted itself as a leader in the policy-making process. Congress considered the Korea situation in a broader sense than Clinton. Many congressmen did not like that the Agreed Framework was the basis for the USA’s DPRK policy. The congressional documents show that Congress was less willing to follow Clinton as members wanted to continue on a path towards economic sanctions towards North Korea. However, after the Agreed Framework, there was a begrudging acceptance of Clinton’s policy while Congress continued to try and exert influence on foreign policy. The documents showed that Clinton acquiesced and appointed former Secretary of Defense Perry to carry out the overhaul of America’s policy towards the DPRK. The subsequent Perry Report led to the final stage of Clinton’s North Korean policy. With the support of Congress, Clinton continued to peacefully engage North Korea, and the US reduced its economic sanctions against the DPRK. By 2000, peaceful diplomatic engagement was agreed to be the way forward for US policy towards the DPRK. Exchanges of officials between the two countries continued to decrease tensions, but the 2000 election abruptly ended Clinton’s DPRK policy.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This paper explores the role of public opinion polling in the 2008 presidential election regarding the concept of gender. The polls both reflect public culture and frame the concerns of the electorate. Having the first woman as a truly viable candidate for a major party nomination for president should impact the range and types of questions asked the public about their perspectives on the candidates. Categorizing the subject of the questions into masculine and femilalist orientations contributes to an understanding of how the election is being oriented in gendered terms. A sample of survey questions about Hillary Clinton has been drawn and their gendered nature analyzed.