This book examines Thomas Jefferson's attempt to combine respect for a fundamental constitution with the fact that no set of laws can foresee every event. His solution to this problem offers a democratic, yet strong, alternative to the more common, Hamiltonian solution. Jefferson scholars have long written of 'two Jeffersons,' one before he became president and one after he became president. The first was opposed to a strong executive, while the second embraced one out of necessity. This book challenges this account. It presents Jefferson's understanding of executive power, which, though it developed over time, pointed to an executive that was both democratic and powerful. "Jefferson was acutely sensitive to the potential, even inevitable, contradiction between the exercise of presidential power and respect for popular democracy. As president he attempted their reconciliation, simultaneously practicing and innovating a strikingly original theory of politics. In the process, as Jeremy D. Bailey thoroughly and convincingly demonstrates, Jefferson created one of the strongest and most enduring ideational bulwarks of the modern presidency." -Richard Bensel, Cornell University “In Thomas Jefferson and Executive Power, Jeremy Bailey challenges…the modern ‘scholarly consensus.’ Jefferson, according to Bailey, possessed and acted upon a coherent, comprehensive understanding of executive power that revolutionized the relationship of the presidency to American democracy…There is much going on here and much to learn. It requires close attention throughout to plumb the subtleties of Jefferson’s words and actions and to fully appreciate Bailey’s sensitive and nuanced interpretation. Readers will find it well worth the effort.” Joseph M. Bessette, Claremont McKenna College, Claremont Review of Books "Jeremy Bailey has crafted an original understanding of executive leadership in the thought and practice of Thomas Jefferson, locating that praxis as an integral element of Jeffersonian constitutionalism. In doing so, Bailey pushes past conventional paradoxical frames―a strict constitutionalist whose political ambition and opportunism undercut that same constitutionalism. What emerges instead is a fresh portrait of an iconic American political leader, one engaged in a coherent project to reconcile the conflicting requirements of discretionary action, popular consent, and fundamental law, one committed to realizing a unified vision of constitutional democratic leadership. Along the way, Bailey also manages to situate Jeffersonian era innovations within the line of historical predicates leading to the development of the modern presidency and its repertoire of signature practices and justifications. This book is engaging, well researched, and well written. In all, it stands as an important contribution to a vast literature, one that can be fruitfully read by students of presidential leadership, American political development, and American constitutional thought." -Scott C. James, University of California, Los Angeles "A powerful, shrewd, and original study of Jefferson’s idea of executive power, shown in theory and application. Jeremy Bailey covers the whole realm of the presidency in a book all students of American politics will want to read." -Harvey Mansfield, Harvard University "Jeremy Bailey’s important new book will transform our understanding of Jefferson’s presidency. By showing how Jefferson forged powerful new links between president and people and democratized prerogative powers, Bailey clarifies a complicated, confusing, and crucially important dimension of Jefferson’s career. Thomas Jefferson and Executive Power also exposes and illuminates fundamental and enduring tensions in American constitutionalism. Bailey’s book is an invaluable―and timely―contribution to the literature." -Peter S. Onuf, University of Virginia "Was there a Revolution in the United States in 1800, as Thomas Jefferson claimed? In contrast with Henry Adams and nearly all historians since, Jeremy D. Bailey thinks that there was, and he makes a powerful case in Jefferson’s defense, arguing that as President he articulated in both theory and practice a new understanding of the executive power, strengthening the presidential office by making the executive the supreme exponent of popular opinion and by asserting broad executive discretion while deliberately making it responsible to popular judgment." -Paul A. Rahe, University of Tulsa "Lucid and systematic, Thomas Jefferson and Executive Power is indispensable for understanding how the American presidency built on democratic thought. With inspiring rhetoric and shrewd management, President Jefferson solved the problem of linking the president to the popular will by becoming the ‘custodian of public opinion.’ He built a presidency that was both strong and democratic, shaping the office all his successors have inherited." David Robertson, University of Missouri – St. Louis "To find consiste