American Royalty : The Bush and Clinton Families and the Danger to the American Presidency

Introduction -- American democracy and family presidencies -- Families matter -- The father begins a dynasty -- The Clintons take power -- The Bush redemption -- From first lady to president? -- The prince in waiting.;The Bush-Clinton families' hold on the American presidency is a danger to the presidency itself and to American democracy. This book will highlight the problems and the consequences of combining the most powerful political office in the world with family legacies. If Hillary Clinton wins the Democratic Party nomination in 2008, it would continue a trend of a Bush or a Clinton being on a national presidential ticket for the last 28 years in the United States. Never before in the history of the nation have two families dominated the political process in such a manner. This two-family domination has 1) endangered the American presidency as a representative institution. 2) has allowed family personal issues to dominate policymaking at a crucial time in American history. The current struggles of the second Bush presidency should give pause to those Americans who are contemplating a second Clinton presidency. By examining the political careers of 3 Bushes (George H.W., George W. and Jeb and 2 Clintons (Bill and Hillary), this book will highlight the problems and the consequences of combining the most powerful political office in the world with family legacies The Bush-Clinton families' hold on the American presidency is a danger to the presidency itself and American democracy. This two-family domination has 1) endangered the American presidency as a representative institution 2) has allowed family personal issues to dominate policymaking at a crucial time in American history 3) has fed an out of control American political system that thrives too much on name recognition and fundraising capability 4) sends a signal to the world community that the American political system is not truly democratic. This book will highlight the problems and the consequences of combining the most powerful political office in the world with family legacies