Newswise — Preparing to launch his second term, President George W. Bush is installing loyal aides in key positions to extend his control of the government. But when presidents surround themselves with devotees, they diminish debate and "risk living in an echo chamber," says John P. Burke, a professor of political science at the University of Vermont.
''Now we have the echo not just in the White House, but seeping into the Cabinet,'' he said in the Nov. 24 issue of USA Today. ''That's a problem if your policy agenda isn't well thought out.''
Presidents Eisenhower, Clinton and Reagan did not offer far-reaching domestic policies at the beginning of their second terms, Burke says. ''Bush's pattern is he develops four or five key proposals, and they're fairly well developed. The difference here is that on at least two big-ticket items, social security and tax reform, the proposals are very general. How are they going to propose paying for it?'' Burke is the author of "Becoming President: The Bush Transition, 2000-2003" (Lynne Rienner Publishers, Inc., July 2004), an in-depth account of George W. Bush's unconventional transition to power and the developments that occurred during the early years of his presidency. Contrary to popular wisdom, Burke posits in the book that decisions Bush made early in his first term shaped the evolution of his leadership after September 11th.
He is also the author of "Institutional Presidency: Organizing and Managing the White House from FDR to Clinton" (Johns Hopkins University Press, Aug. 2000) and "Presidential Transitions: From Politics to Practice," (Lynne Rienner Publishers, Inc., Jan. 2000) which focuses on the Carter, Reagan, Bush Sr. and Clinton transitions and early presidencies.
Burke specializes in American politics, the American presidency, ethics and public affairs. He has served on the Public Administration Review and as a member of the executive committee of the Presidency Research Group of the American Political Science Association.
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