Summary: According to our guest, early successes of the Oval Office have created “dangerous temptations and unrealistic expectations” for recent presidents. He discusses the history of the American presidency, why he calls the job “impossible,” why he says outsiders like Donald Trump cannot succeed and how he insists the presidency can advance beyond the current “chaos.” In his new book, “ The Impossible Presidency: The Rise and Fall of America’s Highest Office ,” presidential historian Jeremi Suri maintains that since the middle of the twentieth century, excessive power and responsibility have debilitated presidents, leading to conditions of overreach, distraction and neglect. In addition, Suri argues that only people who act with integrity, sincerity and modesty - as demonstrated by George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt - can lead the country well. In fact, he calls Roosevelt the country’s last great president. Presidents also need to learn, adjust and change, Suri says, with the help of diverse partners and even critics. He argues that most presidents fail in that regard, but that Lincoln, Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan mastered those steps. Who do you think was the greatest president of all time? Is Donald Trump having a positive or negative effect on the institution of the presidency? In what ways do you think the Oval Office has changed over the years? Send us your thoughts at ideas@wpr.org or call 1-800-642-1234. You can also tweet us @Joy Cardin Show or post on the Ideas Network Facebook page .
