The American President: The Professional Politician

In our nation’s early years, taking part in political affairs was considered a duty and an honor, but not a way of life. It was not long, however, before the professional politicians,
and the parties they represented, began to find their way to the White House (Martin Van Buren, James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln, Lyndon B. Johnson). While the skills necessary for political success can be helpful to a president, they are not sufficient to guarantee success in the office.

“The American President” is a series that aired on PBS in 2000 profiling 41 U.S. chief executives, using exclusive interviews with Presidents Clinton, Bush, Ford, and Carter. Well known figures lend their voice to presidents of the past who lived before sound recordings, including: Colin Powell, Bob Dole, Walter Cronkite, Ben Bradlee, John Glenn, James Carville, Andrew Young, and the Rev. Billy Graham. Narrated by Hugh Sidey.

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Chapter Markers:
Martin Van Buren - The Little Magician 1837-1841 (0:56)
James Buchanan - Avoiding Conflict 1857-1861 (8:58)
Abraham Lincoln - Politics With A Purpose 1861-1865 (20:40)
Lyndon B. Johnson - The Art of Political Bluster 1963-1969 (35:32)

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