Jared Cohen on US leaders finding purpose post-presidency

Book Achievement & Context:

• Jared's book on post-presidencies recently reached #9 on the New York Times bestseller list.
• The author has achieved top-ten status with three separate books previously.
• The author views writing as a disciplined practice to structure solitude and achieve a meditative state, contrasting with his extroverted personality.
• The core motivation for writing is defined as having a specific hobby or obsession that requires justification for the time spent, rather than racing against the clock for ego.
• The research process is described as an introspective journey where the final narrative often diverges from the initial hypothesis.

The Institution of the Post-Presidency:

• The peaceful transfer of power was an untested norm cobbled together by the Founders to avoid a monarchical system.
• Alexander Hamilton questioned whether having deposed presidents "wandering around" would benefit or destabilize the Republic.
• Historical evidence shows ex-presidents can be:
  • Tremendous partners to successors.
  • Evaporators of power who ensure peaceful transitions.
  • Formidable adversaries to their successors.
• The resilience of the republic is attributed to the iteration of norms rather than just constitutional text.

Case Study: William Howard Taft (A Dream Deferred):

• Taft's lifelong ambition was the Supreme Court, not the presidency; he was persuaded by family and friends to pursue the latter.
• As president, Taft appointed a record six Supreme Court justices in a single term, including a Chief Justice.
• Taft lost his 1912 re-election bid to Theodore Roosevelt (running as a third-party candidate), resulting in the most lopsided loss of an incumbent in history.
• Taft successfully lobbied for the Chief Justice position after the incumbent, Charles Evans Hughes, failed to vacate it as expected, leading to a brief vacancy.
• Taft's final decade as Chief Justice was the happiest of his life; he stated he could hardly remember being President.
• Key Lesson: A deferred dream is not necessarily a denied dream.

Case Study: Herbert Hoover (Recovery):

• Hoover entered the presidency in 1929 with historic popularity after successful humanitarian relief efforts post-WWI and the 1927 Mississippi flood.
• He suffered a massive defeat in 1932 following the Great Depression, becoming a polarized figure associated with "Hoovervilles."
• During 12 years of self-imposed exile, Hoover was the only U.S. president to meet Adolf Hitler in 1938.
• Hoover's primary psychological struggle was the inability to be of service to society.
• President Harry Truman "resurrected" Hoover in 1945 to lead global famine relief efforts during WWII.
• Hoover eventually reclaimed his reputation as a bipartisan humanitarian figure before his death at age 90.
• Key Lesson: Recovery involves shedding the vanity of the office to regain the ability to serve.

Case Study: George W. Bush (Moving On):

• George W. Bush is the only active living former president whose approval ratings have doubled since leaving office.
• Bush adopts a strict "one president at a time" principle, refusing to publicly comment on current issues or mention his successor by name.
• He views "legacy" as a selfish and useless word, prioritizing present family time and personal passions over posthumous reputation.
• Bush paints for six to eight hours daily, a discipline he has maintained longer than his political career.
• Bush uses painting to advocate for veterans and immigrants without undermining the sitting administration.
• Key Lesson: The ability to detach from past status and recalibrate ambition toward new pursuits is critical for post-career success.

Case Study: Grover Cleveland (The Comeback):

• Cleveland is the only president to win non-consecutive terms (1884 and 1892).
• He lost the 1888 election by standing on principle against a tariff hike, a decision that made him personally happier despite the loss.
• The 1892 comeback was driven by fear of rising jingoism, imperialism, and the potential destruction of the gold standard.
• Contrast to Modern Context: Unlike current potential comeback candidates, Cleveland never lost the popular vote in his successful re-election.
• Health Scandal: Cleveland concealed a terminal cancer diagnosis during the 1893 inauguration to prevent market panic, violating his own principles of transparency.
• His second term was marked by severe economic depression and the forced annexation of Hawaii against his will.
• Cleveland left office as his least popular, most miserable, and most overweight self.
• Cautionary Tale: Successful comebacks are rarely as satisfying as the first time, often compounded by unforeseen crises.

Forward-Looking Statements & Observations:

• The transcript suggests the 2024 election could be the first rematch between two former presidents since 1892 (Grover Cleveland vs. Benjamin Harrison).
• The author notes that those who fail most often in post-career life are those who cannot detach from their previous roles to resolve old scores or influence events from afar.
• Longevity among former presidents is common, with figures like Taft (93), Hoover (90), Jefferson (83), and J.Q. Adams (80) living well past their terms.
• The author challenges readers to examine their own "moving on" processes, regardless of their political biases regarding the subjects discussed.