Final answer:
Dickerson refers to the "action hero" quality of our presidential expectations to describe the unrealistic expectations of their abilities. This can be seen in media portrayals of presidents as bold, decisive, and principled, similar to action heroes in movies and television shows.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dickerson refers to the "action hero" quality of our presidential expectations to describe the unrealistic expectations of their abilities. This can be seen in media portrayals of presidents as bold, decisive, and principled, similar to action heroes in movies and television shows. Additionally, high expectations for action are reinforced by the soaring rhetoric of election campaigns, where candidates make promises to solve various complex problems.