THE HIDDEN HAND VS THE BULLY PULPIT: THE LAYERED POLITICAL RHETORIC OF PRESIDENT EISENHOWER

Abstract

In the twentieth century rhetoric has become an increasingly important factor in presidential leadership. In examining presidential rhetoric, scholars typically focus on public communications, particularly speeches and remarks made at press-conferences. But much of the communication of chief executives goes on in private interactions with their aides and others in their political environments. The aim of this article is to explore the relationship between private and public presidential rhetoric by examining selected communications on national security of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.