Scandal File: Unmaking of the Presidency

CLINTON apologists complain that Kenneth Starr should get off the President’s back so that he can devote his attention to “doing his job.” But nobody defines his “job” in such a way as to include the most important part: the ritualistic, ceremonial, and symbolic. It is not enough for a President to govern well; he must also seem presidential. He must inspire confidence in his integrity, ability, intelligence, and capacity to take charge, no matter what the course of events.

Depending on what the times demand, the President can perform his role in a variety of ways. Eisenhower could be a benignly competent father figure, and Jack Kennedy could project youthful vigor and new ideas, and each could be eminently successful in fulfilling the symbolic and ceremonial functions.

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Forrest McDonald

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Constitutional Government

CLINTON apologists complain that Kenneth Starr should get off the President’s back so that he can devote his attention to “doing his job.” But nobody defines his “job” in such a way as to include the most important part: the ritualistic, ceremonial, and symbolic. It is not enough for a President to govern well; he must also seem presidential. He must inspire confidence in his integrity, ability, intelligence, and capacity to take charge, no matter what the course of events.

Depending on what the times demand, the President can perform his role in a variety of ways. Eisenhower could be a benignly competent father figure, and Jack Kennedy could project youthful vigor and new ideas, and each could be eminently successful in fulfilling the symbolic and ceremonial functions.