Eileen Mintner of Vancouver, B.C. asks:

I hear that Bush is reading a biography of John Quincy Adams, another son of a president. What will he learn about Adams that relates to what lies ahead?

Michael Beschloss responds:

Aside from the obvious parallels to the fact that JQA was the son of a President who became President himself after a troubled election, one lesson in JQA's life is his enormous effort and considerable success (although not necessarily as President) in achieving his potential both as a human and in public service.

Mac Brantley of Birmingham, MI asks:

Can you compare the challenges or issues President Bush will face as he starts the 21st century as compared to TR 100 years ago or even Jefferson.

Michael Beschloss responds:

In many ways, this is a moment that most Presidents would only dream of -- a generally healthy economy, no immediate foreign challenge, technological change that promises all sorts of new opportunities.

One parallel with both Jefferson and TR's moment is that our conception of our role in the world and government's relationship to private citizens is also in flux and the 43rd President has the potential, as they did, to shape the way we see it.

Jack Kerns of Hartford, CT asks:

Did JKF really keep a slip of paper in his pocket reminding him of how slim the margin was between him and Nixon? Did he act as though not all Americans wanted him in charge? The presidency is such a heady position. Has any president really governed with humility?

Michael Beschloss responds:

JFK never outwardly acknowledged the narrow contested margin of 1960. But he showed in other ways how seriously he took it. He appointed republicans to his Cabinet. He gave many of his ambitious domestic plans which were liberal. His Inaugural address made virtually no mention of domestic policy. Throughout his time in office, it made him severely cautious.

Leslie Ferris of Pineville, NC asks:

Please describe a president who came into office under the most similar circumstances as George W. Bush.

Michael Beschloss responds:

Hard always to find exact analogies. Obviously earlier Presidents lost the popular vote and had contested elections. One element of Bush's situation may be compared to Dwight Eisenhower, who because he tried to govern as a relative moderate had a very hard time with the much more conservative leaders of his party in Congress.

The Online NewsHour asks:

The rituals of the Inaugural ceremony seem very ingrained and formalized. When have presidents broken with tradition, and why?

Michael Beschloss responds:

More recent breaks with tradition: FDR in 1945 taking oath on the White House South Portico to spare himself an exhausting day and because America was still at war. Carter in 1977 walking back to the White House to show he was approachable. Reagan in 1985 being sworn indoors because of the cold.

More questions answered by Richard Norton-Smith...

What can Bush learn from John Quincy Adams, another president to follow in his father's footsteps?

How does this president compare to others who have started a new century?

How is Bush's situation similar to JFK?

Which president came to office under the most similar circumstances?

When have presidents broken with tradition and why?

Was there a president who was not inaugurated at 12PM?

Which president had the most personal wealth when he entered the White House?

When have presidents broken with tradition?

Why did Vice President Cheney take a different Oath of Office?

Library of Congress Inaugural History