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The Conciliation Imperative

[Another national election is taking place. It’s a good time to remember that we will have to get beyond celebrating the unilateralism that has dominated too much American rhetoric. The challenger this time seems more open to seeking common ground with political foes. But the President still seems locked into a binary mindset dominated by … Continue reading The Conciliation Imperative

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The End of the Rhetorical Presidency?

No one will look at the output of the West Wing in the last four years for words of inspiration. I’ll leave it to others to sort out the politics of our disheveled presidential campaign.  But we already have more than enough evidence to examine the ruins of something called “the Rhetorical Presidency.” The idea … Continue reading The End of the Rhetorical Presidency?