BULLY PULPIT

For over a century "bully pulpit" has been used in reference to a President‘s power to sway public opinion and influence bills, but it doesn‘t refer to an actual, tangible pulpit. President Bush made spectacular use of the bully pulpit in early 2004 when he gave a speech calling on Congress to reform our immigration laws. In just one speech he seized control of the immigration debate, and rose 10 points in polls of Latino voters. In this clip Senator Brownback‘s Chief of Staff, David Kensinger, explains why a President doesn‘t have to deal with policy details and what a speech like President Bush's does for White House allies in Congress.

Next Term: CONFERENCE COMMITTEE