Who Broke the “Bully Pulpit?
Lee Ellis Remember when US Presidents could change the direction of the nation by using what pundits called the “Bully Pulpit”? A President could use whatever communication facilities he had available to reach out to the entire nation. His speeches could be heard over every radio station, headlined in every newspaper, and, after television came along, over all the TV networks. The networks always arranged to have the President’s speech heard simultaneously at the same hour in prime time. Thus, the nation took seriously what their national leader had to say and most would act on it, whether major corporations, small businesses or just groups of citizens gathered together to hear what they needed to do to help or protect their nation. Many pundits still say that the “Bully Pulpit” should be used by President Bush and they criticize him for not doing this. But —wait a minute —what has happened to this pulpit? Does it really exist any more? I think that it is almost broken beyond repai
