Ever since Franklin D Roosevelt coined the term in the 1930s, the first hundred days
in office have become a yardstick to measure the accomplishments of U.S. presidents and
political leaders around the world. But how effective is the 100-day mark in judging their success?
The first 100 days is just a tiny fraction of a four-year U.S. presidential term, but
the idea that a lot can be achieved in a short period originated long before President Roosevelt. "So help me God."
Exiled French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s escape from the island of Elba in 1815, return
to power in Paris, and subsequent defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, all in a period of
under four months, is known as ‘Les cent jours’.
However, it wasn’t until the 20th century when FDR was elected president of the United
States that the term became a political catchphrase.
Roosevelt was elected at a time when the country faced severe challenges during the Great Depression.
With unemployment at record levels, the urgent economic situation allowed FDR to achieve
a remarkable amount in the first hundred days of his presidency.
When he took office in 1933, the banks were on the verge of failure. In less than a week,
Roosevelt convinced Congress to pass the Emergency Banking Act that effectively stabilized the
financial system. While the bill was prepared during the previous administration, Roosevelt
managed to roll out 14 other major pieces of legislation in his first 100 days, including
a series of reforms that were part of his New Deal economic program. He also coined
the term ‘fireside chat’ by speaking directly to the public through radio broadcasts.
"I want to tell you what has been done in the last few days."
Roosevelt’s leadership style, along with the extraordinary speed of reform, cemented
his popularity, setting the hundred-day benchmark by which all future presidents would be measured.
In his first 100 days, Roosevelt passed 76 bills into law, 23 more than his successor
Harry Truman. Since then, no president has succeeded in passing more than 30, the closest
being Donald Trump, who was responsible for 28 acts.
In addition to his legislative success, FDR issued 99 executive orders, a vast number
compared to subsequent presidents.
As impressive as FDR’s achievements were, political historians argue that the unique
circumstances of the Great Depression made the speed and scale of his impact possible.
The sense of urgency created by the country’s economic freefall muted most political opposition.
More recent presidents faced an increasingly partisan political landscape and a congress
with stronger subcommittees, which added a new layer of decision-making to the legislative
process. Even though American politics has seen significant changes since the Great Depression,
political analysts argue that the first hundred days is still a ‘presidential honeymoon’
during which they wield extra influence.
According to data from the second half of the 20th century, U.S. presidents fared better
with congress earlier rather than later in their inaugural year. With the exception of
Lyndon Johnson and George H. W. Bush, bills that were supported by presidents passed more
often than those considered later in their tenure.
The percentage of votes from congress in favor of the president’s position on bills, motions
and amendments during that time were on average significantly higher in the first hundred
days than the rest of the year.
One reason for this, according to political analysts, is that U.S. presidents tend to
be strategic in their support for bills likely to pass congress, partly accounting for the
perception of early-term success.
There’s also an argument that political leaders are most effective right after their
election victory when public opinion is demonstrably on their side, which may strengthen their
hand when dealing with other lawmakers. However, the honeymoon period can be short, as was
the case for French President Emmanuel Macron. Only a third of French people were satisfied
with his presidency after a hundred days, 10% lower even compared to his predecessor
Francois Hollande, the most unpopular French president in polling history.
In the private sector, a leader’s actions at the start of a new job may also have a
lasting impact. A survey of 143 human resources executives found that more than 70% agreed
or strongly agreed that “success or failure during the transition period is a strong predictor
of overall success or failure in the job.” According to some business experts, poor decisions
can have an adverse effect on leaders’ future working relationships, whereas early wins
build trust in their vision.
For politicians, early wins often mean passing laws, but is that the best indicator of a
strong start to a leader’s tenure?
While Ronald Reagan only enacted nine laws in his first hundred days, his fiercest critics
commended him for effectively communicating goals which would define his presidency during
the first hundred days.
Conversely, John F Kennedy passed 26 laws in his first hundred days in office, but the
period was marred by the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion 87 days into his presidency.
The failed military action at the height of the Cold War was intended to overthrow Cuban
dictator Fidel Castro but instead, heightened tensions with the U.S.S.R. and culminated
in the Cuban Missile Crisis.
In fact, Kennedy tried to lower expectations for his first 100 days during his inauguration
speech, “All this will not be finished in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished
in the first 1,000 days, nor in the life of this administration.”
Despite the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion, JFK’s accomplishments have been deemed favorable
in comparison with his immediate predecessors Dwight Eisenhower and Harry Truman.
Although the first 100 days is an arbitrary deadline, part of its continued relevance
is in politicians’ use of pre-election promises to hook voters.
While on the campaign trail, Trump unveiled a 100-day action plan called “Contract with
the American Voter,” but as the deadline for its completion approached the following
year, he called the 100 days a ‘ridiculous standard’
The first 100 days catchphrase has caught on internationally too.
Imran Khan, successfully campaigned to become Prime Minister of Pakistan on a ‘100 Days
Agenda’ in the country’s general election in 2018, although he failed to make significant
headway on his promises.
In the U.K., Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party also published a 100-day plan in the
week before the 2019 general election. Although Johnson managed to fulfill most of these promises,
his rosy outlook for 2020 was swiftly derailed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The first hundred days may be an effective political campaign slogan,
but is it a benchmark that matters?
For every U.S. president, the ghost of Roosevelt looms large, although his achievements occured
in unique circumstances. History has also shown that a leader’s early actions do not
necessarily make or break their presidency and plans can quickly be overturned by events
beyond their control. But a successful first hundred days can build momentum, personal
credibility and political capital, which any politician would be grateful for.
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