The President’s Agenda

The President's Agenda Resources for developing program include interest groups, aides, campaign advisers, federal bureaus and agencies, and outside specialists Different presidents have different approaches to policy formations Carter and Clinton tried to have a policy on everything Reagan concentrated on a small number of initiatives, left everything else to subordinates

The President’s Agenda Lots of constraints on a president’s program ◦ Public and congressional reactions ◦ Limited time and attention of president ◦ Unexpected crises ◦ Programs can be changed only marginally (b/c most resources already committed) ◦ Public opinion polls

Influence of Polling Trustee approach ▫Act for the public good, regardless of popular opinion Delegate approach ▫Act as constituents

Reorganizaton Almost every president since 1928 has proposed reorganization ▫Change the structure of subordinate staff, departments, and agencies ▫Ex. GW Bush and Homeland Security Why?: ▫Large number of agencies ▫Easier to change policy by reorganization than abolishing old programs/agencies Reorganization outside of the White House staff must be Congressionally approved

Presidential Transition Only 15 of 41 presidents have served 2 full terms (including Bush) The Vice President: ▫8 VPs have succeeded to the office due to president’s death ▫Only 5 VPs have won the presidency in an election (not due to pres death) ▫“A rather empty job”  VP presides over the Senate, votes if a tie  Leadership powers in the Senate are weak, especially in times of a divided govt

Problems of Succession Early laws attempted to define succession, but not really solidified until Twenty-fifth amendment (1967) ▫Allows VP to serve as acting president if pres is disabled ▫Illness is decided by pres, vp, and cabinet or by 2/3 vote of Congress ▫VP who ascends to office b/c of death or resignation must name a new VP ▫New VP must be confirmed by a majority vote of both houses

Impeachment Indictment in a criminal trial Judges, not presidents, are the most frequent subjects of impeachment (but it does happen!)