The American Presidency: Character and Crisis

In the past half-century, the question of character has loomed large in discussions of the American presidency. Does a person lacking integrity also lack the moral capital true leadership requires? Must the president be someone we can hold up as a model to our children? Why has presidential character become a major public concern?

When Stanford professor and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David Kennedy joins premier presidential historian Michael Beschloss for this public conversation, the two will draw upon their extraordinary knowledge to explore presidential character, especially at times of crisis. They will consider Roosevelt's victories, Truman's bomb, Kennedy's Cuban missile confrontation, Nixon's Watergate, Carter's Camp David accords, Clinton's impeachment, and Bush's response to September 11. In examining these and other stories, we will learn of the human success and failure, greatness and mediocrity that characterize the history of those entrusted with this high office. This conversation will be moderated by Michael Krasny of KQED Public Radio.