If the incumbent or his party has been discredited sufficiently, the challenger can run a successful, content-free campaign.

Next quotes

• H. W. Brands:

  Americans knock themselves out, especially since 9/11, praising the military.

• H. W. Brands:

  If you put on the military uniform, you're a prima facie hero. Generals are the epitome of that. Th

• H. W. Brands:

  The shelf life of a seventh-year State of the Union address is about five minutes. Presidents can p

• H. W. Brands:

  You might say presidents are drafting the first chapter of their memoirs in these seventh-year Stat

• H. W. Brands:

  I cannot think of a president or administration that has taken seriously the 100 days.

• H. W. Brands:

  In modern times, the American military has become more bureaucratised.

• H. W. Brands:

  President Trump is doing what he can to act decisively. And if there's one thing most people have i

• H. W. Brands:

  In some ways, I would be absolutely fascinated if Trump gets elected.

• H. W. Brands:

  There is a certain kind of sobering, civilizing effect that being president imposes on people. Ther

• H. W. Brands:

  I'm more inclined to say the presidency has changed Trump rather than Trump changed the presidency.