Behind the scenes as a president steps aside
Lincoln Presidential Library presents author of new book on presidential transitions June 23  

 

[June 20, 2015]  SPRINGFIELD – The peaceful transfer of power from one American president to another has been called an extraordinary example of democracy – “rare in history, yet common in our country,” as President George W. Bush put it. Author Martha Joynt Kumar will take people behind the scenes of the transition process when she speaks at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum on June 23.

Her new book, “Before the Oath: How George W. Bush and Barack Obama Managed a Transfer of Power” reveals for the first time that as President-elect Obama was being briefed about nation’s ongoing wars and plummeting economy, the Bush team disclosed a new threat: U.S. intelligence sources believed a terror group planned to attack the National Mall during the inaugural festivities. The violence never materialized, but the possibility drives home the high stakes of a presidential transition and the need for full cooperation.

The free event begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, with Kumar signing copies of her book in the Lincoln Presidential Library (112 N. Sixth Street, Springfield). Then at 6:30, she speaks in the library’s Multi-Purpose Room. For reservations, visit www.PresidentLincoln.Illinois.gov and click on “special event reservations” or call [phone].

Kumar is appearing in conjunction with the Lincoln Presidential Library’s presentation of “American Presidents: Life Portraits.” Created by C-SPAN, the exhibit features portraits of every American president, along with information about their administrations and the first ladies. Visitors can also use phones and tablets to hear the voices of every president back to Theodore Roosevelt.

Kumar heads the non-partisan White House Transition Project and teaches at Towson University.

“She enjoyed unprecedented access to members of the transition teams, allowing her to combine in-depth scholarship and one-on-one interviews to put readers behind the scenes,” said Eileen Mackevich, executive director of the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. “What did the first ladies discuss before the oath of office was administered? Who really began the modern transition process? How do presidential teams with sharply different political views forge working relationships? Kumar explores all that and more.”

One scholar calls Kumar’s book “The seminal book on presidential transition.” Another says: “No one knows more about presidential transitions than Martha Kumar does.”

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum holds an unparalleled collection of Lincoln documents, photographs, artifacts and art. It also has some 12 million items pertaining to all aspects of Illinois history, making the library one of the nation’s leading institutions for genealogy and history research.

The museum is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. For information on all our events, visit www.TenYearsLincoln.com.

[Chris Wills, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum]