"Watson presents a painstakingly researched account of the historical origins of the power and the causes and consequences of [the veto’s] use by the modern presidents from Franklin D. Roosevelt through Jimmy Carter."—Journal of American History
"Must reading for scholars of presidential-congressional relations."—Policy Currents
"A penetrating and detailed analysis of presidential use of the veto power."—Perspectives on Political Science
"A very important and insightful book, sophisticated yet fully available to the general reader. Watson dissects the strategy and success of the veto power with analytical vigor. One of his interesting findings is that the balance of power between the president and Congress is much more even than appears to be the case on the surface. Also revealing are Watson’s breakdowns of vetoes into substantive areas, party affiliations, public opinion, and national crises."—Louis Fisher, author of Constitutional Conflicts between Congress and the President
"Informative, readable, and well-researched, this is a serious contribution to our understanding of the politics of the presidential veto. Watson is especially good on detailing what happens after a presidential veto—who wins and who loses."—Thomas E. Cronin, author of Direct Democracy: The Politics of the Initiative, Referendum, and Recall
"The most detailed empirical analysis available of veto use by recent presidents. I find close agreement with Watson’s conclusions that the veto continues to be a potent political weapon, that the item veto proposal ought to be avoided, and that the pocket veto is most sensibly exercised at the end of a Congress. Watson has made an important contribution."—Robert J. Spitzer, author of The Presidential Veto
"Watson has written an important book on an under-researched part of the American political process. He draws upon a wide array of sources, including the riches of seven presidential libraries, and ends with good advice."—Richard S. Kirkendall, author of A Global Power: America since the Age of Roosevelt
