Ronald L. Feinman

Ronald L. Feinman received his Ph.D. from the City University of New York Graduate School in 1975. His dissertation advisor was Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. Dr. Feinman is the author of “Twilight of Progressivism: The Western Republican Senators and the New Deal” (Johns Hopkins University Press, 1981) and “Assassinations, Threats, and the American Presidency: From Andrew Jackson to Barack Obama” (Rowman Littlefield Publishers, 2015, Paperback Edition 2017). In addition to this blog, Dr. Feinman has blogged at TheProgressiveProfessor.com since 2008 and is a political and historical Commentator on Radio Station WWGH, 107.1 FM, Marion, Ohio. Dr. Feinman has spent nearly a half century as Professor of American History, Government and Politics and is still teaching a US Presidency class at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida every Fall and Spring term.

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  Oct 24, 2020
  

  The Controversial Presidential Succession Act of 1947

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  The current law of Presidential succession could put a leader from outside the executive branch and from the opposite party into the White House without the support of voters. Trump's COVID scare shows such a potential crisis of legitimacy is not impossible. The law needs to be changed. 

  

• 
  Oct 16, 2020
  

  Return to the Presidential Succession Act of 1886 (With Some Modification)

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  Presidential succession would extend past the vice president only in a dire circumstance, when the nation could ill afford a partisan battle. Reverting to the Presidential Succession Act of 1886 would eliminate that risk. 

  

• 
  Oct 9, 2020
  

  Trump On Way to Worst Percentage Share of Vote by a Republican in a Two-Way Race Since Goldwater

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  If current trends hold, Donald Trump may lose big, but still not match the worst election performances of Republican incumbents.

  

• 
  Sep 24, 2020
  

  This Potential Constitutional Crisis is More Serious than 1860 or 1932

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  Donald Trump's remarks this week suggest that he is willing to provoke a constitutional crisis on his own to avoid surrendering the presidency. 

  

• 
  Sep 19, 2020
  

  There Has Never Been a President Like Donald Trump

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  It is necessary sometimes to lay out all the ways in which Donald Trump is a singularly bad president. 

  

• 
  Sep 19, 2020
  

  Vice Presidents Who Have Been Presidential Nominees

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  Polls show Joe Biden with a strong lead over Donald Trump, but if history is any guide his chances as a former VP are a toss-up. 

  

• 
  Aug 16, 2020
  

  Since 1960, Democrats Have Had Success when the VP is a Senator and a former Presidential Contender

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  The five successful Democratic candidates for the presidency since 1960 chose as a running mate a person with Senate experience who had previously run for president. 

  

• 
  Aug 16, 2020
  

  The "Zero Year" Election Syndrome and 2020

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  Is being elected in a year ending in zero a curse? 

  

• 
  Aug 7, 2020
  

  Tumultuous Transitions in the American Presidency

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  Presidential transitions can be bumpy. Whether the next one is in 2021 or 2025 it may prove to be the bumpiest yet.

  

• 
  Jul 31, 2020
  

  Prepare for Massive Turnover on the Supreme Court in the Next Four Years

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  Age, health, and political calculations about securing an ideologically sympathetic replacement could prompt as many as six Supreme Court Justices to leave the court in the next four-year presidential term. Who names their replacements will shape the court for a generation.

  

• 
  Jul 19, 2020
  

  The Three Political Prodigy Governors of the 20th Century

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  Three very young men sought to jump from a governor's mansion to high national office. Philip LaFollette and Harold Stassen failed, but in part due to a series of lucky events Bill Clinton succeeded. 

  

• 
  Jul 2, 2020
  

  The Youngest History-Makers in the U.S. Senate

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  Although he seeks to become the oldest first-term president in US history, Joe Biden began his career in national office at the youngest age allowed for a US Senator. 

  

• 
  Jun 23, 2020
  

  Four Controversial Presidential Sons-in-Law

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  Jared Kusher joins three other presidential sons-in-law as figures of controversy. 

  

• 
  Jun 17, 2020
  

  Trump is a Combination of George Wallace, Joseph McCarthy and John C. Calhoun

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  Trump combines the legacies of three malignant figures from American history. 

  

• 
  Jun 3, 2020
  

  The Potential for Crisis Between Election Day and Inauguration: Then and Now

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  Four prior presidential elections have made the period between election and inauguration a time of uncertainty and danger. The period of time beginning on November 3 might outdo them all. 

  

• 
  May 29, 2020
  

  Presidential Rivalry and Bad Blood in American History (Part 2)

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  Part 2 of a series on the rivalries, grudges, and feuds among American presidents. 

  

• 
  May 27, 2020
  

  Presidential Rivalry and Bad Blood in American History (Part 1)

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  Part 1 in a 2-part series addressing rivalries, feuds and reconciliations among U.S. presidents.

  

• 
  May 13, 2020
  

  Shining Stars and Rogues: Presidential Offspring in American History (Part 2)

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  Part 2 of a survey of the good, the bad, and the crooked among presidential offspring.

  

• 
  May 13, 2020
  

  Shining Stars and Rogues: Presidential Offspring in American History (Part 1)

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  Part 1 of a study of the good, the bad, and the crooked among presidential offspring. 

  

• 
  Apr 29, 2020
  

  The Myth of Vice-Presidential Irrelevancy

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  It is simply not the case that the choice of a vice president is irrelevant to a presidential campaign or administration.