The American Leadership Tradition: Moral Vision from Washington to Clinton

How much does character affect leadership? Most Americans believe a president’s private activities bear little relation to his public-policy decisions. Yet we also believe that moral vision plays a role in strong leadership. Marvin Olasky systematically examines the bond between morals and politics in the lives and careers of thirteen noted American leaders. From George Washington, Henry Clay, and Booker T. Washington to Woodrow Wilson, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Clinton, Olasky looks closely at the connections between religion, sexual practices, and political decisions. Through these examples, Olasky demonstrates how a man’s character shows its stamp repeatedly during a career. He argues that while faithfulness in marriage may be no guarantee of faithfulness to the country, faithlessness is a leading indicator of trouble.