Robert P. Watson is visiting associate professor of political science at Florida Atlantic University. He is
editor of the journal White House Studies and author of numerous books on gender and the presidency, including
The Presidents' Wives: Reassessing the Office of First Lady and First Ladies of the United States: A Biographical
Dictionary. Ann Gordon is assistant professor of political science at Ohio University. She is coauthor of When
Stereotypes Collide: Race, Gender, and Congressional Campaigns.
Review
"A fascinating and thought provoking discourse of the future of American presidential politics."
--Midwest Book Review
"Recommended for women's studies and political science collections in academic and public libraries."
--Library Journal
"A fascinating read that conveys the complexity and challenges surrounding the pursuit of the White House
and thoroughly speculates about the conditions the first female president will encounter both on the campaign trail
and in office: it would be an excellent choice for a women and politics or the presidency."
--Julie Dolan
Lynne Rienner Publishing Web Site, May, 2003
Summary
Madam President? The question is not if, but rather when the United States will elect a female president--but
that may be the only certainty involved in shattering this most visible glass ceiling in U.S. society.
Who will be included in the field of candidates for Madam President, and why? How will she have to position herself
for a viable run at the Oval Office? Once in office, will she encounter gender-based biases in her handling of
military and foreign affairs? Will Madam President blend seamlessly with the long line of Mr. Presidents--or will
the very nature of the presidency be irrevocably changed?
Anticipating Madam President's insightful blend of analysis and personal profiles illustrates the realities of
women in the upper echelons of public life, as well as the challenges likely to face a woman in one of the world's
most powerful political positions.
Table of Contents
Foreword--Pat Schroeder.
The White House as Ultimate Prize--R.P. Watson.
THE STRUGGLE FOR POLITICAL EQUALITY.
Breaking the Final Glass Ceiling: When (Not if) a Woman Becomes President--M.J. Skidmore.
Paving the Way: The Work of the Women's Movement--A.N. Costain.
Changing the Climate of Expectations--E. Falk and K. Hall Jamieson.
Profile: Shirley Chisholm, Blazing Trails--the Editors.
THE CAMPAIGN.
Can Women Enter the "Big Tents?" National Party Structures and Presidential Nominations--M. Haussman.
A War Chest Full of Susan B. Anthony Dollars: Fundraising Issues for Female Presidential Candidates--V.A. Farrar-Myers.
On the Way to the White House: Communication Strategies for Women Candidates--D. Bystrom.
Public Discourse and Female Presidential Candidates--C.L. Bower.
Profile: Pat Schroeder and the Campaign That Wasn't--the Editors.
THE MEDIA, VOTERS, AND PUBLIC OPINION.
The Lipstick Watch: Media Coverage, Gender, and Presidential Campaigns--D.J. Heith.
Is the America Ready for a Woman President? Is the Pope Protestant?--C. Kennedy.
Gender, Race, and the Oval Office--A. Gordon and J. Miller.
Profile: Geraldine Ferraro, Media Coverage of History in the Making--the Editors.
GOVERNING. Presidential Leadership: Governance from a Woman's Perspective--L. Cox Han.
A Female Leader for the Free World: The First Woman President and U.S Foreign Policy--T. Lansford.
Confronting the Myths: The First Woman President and National Security--J. Davis.
Profile: Elizabeth Dole, Executive Leadership--the Editors.
