He used the bully pulpit to persuade Congress that “the great development of industrialism means that there must be an increase in the supervision exercised by the government over business enterprise.” Explaining his fight for a “square deal” for Americans, he used authority under the Sherman Anti-Trust Act to take on powerful consolidated companies. Roosevelt was concerned about “trusts,” big corporations that damaged the general welfare by driving other companies out of business. He said: “I suppose my critics will call that preaching, but I have got such a bully pulpit!” His use of the bully pulpit contributed to the greatest expansion of federal power in the country’s history to that time. Theodore Roosevelt used what he called the “bully pulpit” (“bully” meaning “wonderful” and “pulpit” meaning “a preaching position”) to spread his ideas and solve problems. Library of Congress – Sound Recordings of Roosevelt’s voice Narrative.What is your assessment of his presidency? Resources In his autobiography, Roosevelt wrote that he did not “usurp” power, but that he did “greatly broaden” executive authority. He was aware that he was shaping the presidency in a way his detractors would criticize. In this eLesson we examine how President Theodore Roosevelt brought a new attitude to the presidency, approaching it as a “bully pulpit.” Where his predecessors believed that powers not granted were forbidden, Roosevelt asserted that powers not forbidden were granted.

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