Aired: Apr 9, 2000The last thing that the Founding Fathers envisioned was a hereditary chief ex...
The American President
Season 1 Episode 4: 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.
