"This book originated in a two-day symposium of oral history conversations, held at the University of Virginia's Miller Center of Public Affairs, in Charlottesville, on June 12-13, 2009"--Page viii.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

This groundbreaking book on White House domestic policymaking is the first to draw upon both the experiences of former presidential advisers and the expertise of leading presidency scholars to explain how policies reflect campaign promises, emerge and evolve, and are sold to the American people. Covering six administrations from Richard Nixon through George W. Bush, with ample references to Barack Obama, it interweaves those insider and outsider perspectives to convey an eye-opening understanding of the policymaking process and the factors that influence it. The contributors here offer an unusual balance of practical wisdom and social science knowledge. Their insights address a number of key questions throughout the book: what role does the presidential campaign have in shaping the subsequent activity of the White House? How are the specifics of domestic policy, and priorities, established once a president is elected? Who, and what, is routinely involved in trying to sell domestic policy preferences to the American people? And what lessons can be learned from past successes and failures to enhance the ability of future presidents to succeed?

SACFinal081324