President-centered and Presidency-centered Explanations of Presidential Public Activity

Abstract

This article assesses the president's public activities. It tests hypotheses derived from an explanation that suggests that presidential choice depends upon the nature of presidents-a explanation. It also tests hypotheses derived from the opposing account, that is, that presidential behavior reflects the president's institutional responsibilities and powers-a explanation. The latter includes the president's clerkship of official responsibilities, bargaining conditions, and the tenure of presidents. Technological innovations also affect presidential activity. The empirical evaluation of these explanations includes tests for three kinds of president-centered explanations, emphasizing individual presidents, Barber's presidential styles, and the recent interest in Washington outsiders. The empirical evidence suggests an important role for the presidency-centered explanation and the control for technology. The president-centered models, however, provide additional insight into presidential activities.