The Rally Round the Flag Phenomenon

11 Pages 2746 Words

rs of 1946 and 1970. And with the exception of General MacArthur in the late forties, the president was number one, often with the former president at number two. In 1968, eight of the top ten most admired men were the president or past presidents. The follower mentality is described by Mueller as “a group of citizens…who are inclined to rally the support of the president no matter what he does.” (Mueller, 69) Along with the idea of the admiration of the office, the public can identify with the idea of one person representing the entire country, which may place him above politics. These followers are from all political parties, racial backgrounds, sexes, education levels (although predominantly more educated, attributed to more knowledge of current situations), age group, and economic standing. This vast admiration, apparent no matter the presidents’ party or popularity, and the trend of the public to have a “follower mentality” are factors in the support the president may receive when there is a public rally.
The elite opinion lea...