Synopses & Reviews
Barack Obama and the Politics of RedemptionEvery new president raises many questions and Barack Obama possibly raises more than most. Two years into his presidency debate continues about whether he can be a pragmatic centrist or whether his politics of hope and transformation will ultimately flounder on the rocky shoals of America 's deep political divisions. What of his leadership style? Has the uncommonly calm character he demonstrated on the campaign trail kept him from making an essential emotional connection with the American public? Obama took office with extraordinarily high expectations and a palpable hunger in the American psyche for a new national direction. Inflated expectations, however, are often a recipe for disappointment, as the midterm elections seemed to demonstrate.
Based on extensive biographical, psychological, and political research and analysis, noted political psychologist Stanley Renshon follows Obama 's presidency through his first two years in office. He digs into the question of who is the real Obama and assesses the advantages and limitations that he brings to the presidency. These questions cannot be answered without recourse to psychological analysis. And they cannot be answered without psychological knowledge of presidential leadership and the presidency itself. Renshon explains that underlying Obama 's ambition lies a need for redemption of himself, of his parents, and ultimately of America itself.
Synopsis
Every new president raises many questions in the public mind. Because Barack Obama was a relative newcomer to the national political scene, he raised more questions than most. Would he prove to be a pragmatic centrist or would his politics of hope ultimately flounder on the rocky shoals of America 's deep political divisions? What of his leadership style? How would the uncommonly calm character he demonstrated on the campaign trail shape Obama 's political style as commander-in-chief?
Based on extensive biographical, psychological, and political research and analysis, noted political psychologist Stanley Renshon follows Obama 's presidency through the first two years. He digs into the question of who is the real Obama and assesses the advantages and limitations that he brings to the presidency. These questions cannot be answered without recourse to psychological analysis. And they cannot be answered without psychological knowledge of presidential leadership and the presidency itself. Renshon explains that Obama 's ambition has been fueled by a desire for redemption his own, that of his parents, and ultimately for the country he now leads, which has enormous consequences for his choices as president of a politically divided America.