Abstract

The President vs. the President

It has been the procedure under the New Deal all along. All major decisions are made by the President. He is surrounded by a group of men who develop tentative policies, some tending in one direction, some in another. These are canalized into the White House, and ultimately the President chooses. He may accept one plan or another, or he may combine them. And while he is making up his mind, he will talk to some callers in one vein and to others in another. His callers believe he indicates a state of mind which they can interpret positively. Their interpretations are passed on to others, and get into print. But other callers make different interpretations which likewise get into print. The country is flooded with contradictions.