Presidential agenda setting: Influences on the emphasis of foreign policy

Presidential power is significantly augmented by the ability to influence the political agenda. However, we know little about the factors leading presidents to pursue particular issues over others. In this analysis we examine the influences on presidential emphasis of foreign policy. Using a Poisson regression analysis of speeches over the period 1953-93, we find that a number of different contextual factors including approval, presidential influence in Congress, and international events affect presidential emphasis on foreign policy.