The authors examine the relationship between President George W. Bush and the U.S. Congress to explore political leadership in American politics. Six case studies make clear that individual leaders in both the Congress and the administration provide the direction, coherence, and energy that leadership requires. Two case studies concentrate on solutions devised to resolve long-standing policy issues that had been the center of controversy even before Bush's election: education reform and campaign finance reform. Two cases focus on issues that arose in the aftermath of 9/11: intelligence reform and creation of the Department of Homeland Security. Two are drawn from Bush's second term: the response to Hurricane Katrina and the failed effort to reform Social Security. The authors draw several general conclusions. Direction, coherence and energy are provided by multiple national leaders, not just by the president. Like other presidents, Bush sought to dominate national policy-making but ultimately found it necessary to effect tactical and policy reversals, actions inconsistent with his image as an uncompromising man of principle. Legislative success often depended on the skills of Bush's allies and particularly on the efforts of bipartisan and sometimes bicameral "tandems" who forged compromises across party and institutional lines that made progress possible.

"These case studies are...quite useful as a supplement to texts that focus on one institution or the other, and might also be considered for use in courses on national policy making. The authors' attempt to explain leadership patterns and strategies that go beyond party leadership is very useful and might serve as the foundation of a research agenda that could produce a valuable scholarly contribution as well as a pedagogical tool." - APSA Legislative Studies Section Newsletter, Book Notes, January 2008

"Mycoff and Pika produce a thoughtful examination of contemporary presidential-congressional relations through the lens of leadership theory....The book is a useful contribution to the leadership study literature. Recommended." - CHOICE