Portland Public Library

How to get rid of a president, history's guide to removing unpopular, unable, or unfit chief executives, David Priess

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

index present

non fiction

How to get rid of a president

bibliography

1062397770

David Priess

history's guide to removing unpopular, unable, or unfit chief executives

"A vivid political history of the schemes, plots, maneuvers, and conspiracies that have attempted--successfully and not--to remove unwanted presidents."--Jacket flap"To limit executive power, the Founding Fathers created fixed presidential terms of four years, giving voters regular opportunities to remove their leaders. Even so, Americans have often resorted to more dramatic paths to disempower the chief executive. The American presidency has seen it all, from rejecting a sitting president's renomination bid and undermining their authority in office to the more drastic methods of impeachment, and, most brutal of all, assassination. How to Get Rid of a President showcases the political dark arts in action: a stew of election dramas, national tragedies, and presidential departures mixed with party intrigue, personal betrayal, and backroom shenanigans. This briskly paced, darkly humorous voyage proves that while the pomp and circumstance of presidential elections might draw more attention, the way that presidents are removed teaches us much more about our political order."--Jacket

Presidents-eject -- Rejected by the party -- Undermined by opponents or subordinates -- Dismissed preemptively -- Displaced by death -- Taken out by force -- Declared unable to serve -- Impeached and removed -- Shoved aside at the polls -- Presidents, processes, and the people