The Cult of the Presidency

Back in the primary season this past election year, Gene Healy had some insightful comments over at ReasonOnline on the impossible (and foolish) expectations most Americans place upon the Presidency:

The chief executive of the United States is no longer a mere constitutional officer charged with faithful execution of the laws. He is a soul nourisher, a hope giver, a living American talisman against hurricanes, terrorism, economic downturns, and spiritual malaise. He—or she—is the one who answers the phone at 3 a.m. to keep our children safe from harm. The modern president is America’s shrink, a social worker, our very own national talk show host. He’s also the Supreme Warlord of the Earth.

Perhaps we should retitle the office “The Supreme Oprah.”

This perspective on the role of our Chief Executive is tantamount to rank idolatry. It also makes practical governance nearly impossible. We — the American people in general, both those on the left and on the right — have placed upon the Presidency expectations that cannot realistically be achieved. It’s more evidence that in our secular society, where politics has become the supreme religion, the President has become the High Priest.

God help President-Elect Obama. With the high expectations we place on our Presidents, our new President will have to exercise great skill not to be perceived as a failure.