Ch 9: Presidential Leadership Section 1: Presidential Powers Section 2: Roles of the President Section 3: Styles of Leadership
Section 1: Presidential Powers I. _____________ Powers A. The founders created a strong executive to overcome the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. B. Most of the powers we think of the president having today have ________________, reflecting the changing needs of the nation, and the personalities of those in the executive office. ___________ from the people have also shaped the presidency (FDR during the New Deal, for instance)
C. Article _____ grants the president broad but vaguely described powers: ________________________ _________________________
Presidential Powers continued II. ____________ Sources of Power A. Personal ______________ of Power Certain presidents have ___________________ of the executive to fit needs as they saw them. Consider some historical examples: Jefferson’s decision to buy the Louisiana Territory T. Roosevelt’s claim that it was the right and duty of the president to “do anything that the needs of the Nation demanded unless such action was forbidden by the Constitution or by the law.” Consider the current debate over the Bush administration’s creation of the NSA warrant-less surveillance program.
C. Modern presidents usually refer to a mandate ________________ when attempting to expand the role of the president and use the ____________ to build support for their ideas. These media outlets provide a forum for the president to spread the administration’s message. Discussion question: Do you think modern presidents have tried to gain powers the authors of the Constitution did not intend for them to have? (outside the scope of original intent?)
III: Limits on Presidential Power A. Congress has constitutional authority to _____________________________________. Ex. Nixon’s veto of the War Powers Act B. The president can be _____________ and ___________________for clear abuse of power C. The Supreme Court can _______________ ____________________ Ex. President Truman in Youngstown v. Sawyer (1952)
III: Limits continued D. Congress has the “power of the _______”, so it has final control over the _______. How does this act as a check on presidential power? E. The Senate must approve presidential ________. F. Limitation by the ___________--who actually enforces the laws? G. Limitation by __________--remember the idea of a mandate? Johnson’s decision not to run again because of Vietnam Obamacare
Section 2: Roles of the President Some of what we expect the president to do is in Article II and some of it has developed over time and become custom. A. Chief of ___________ In this role, the president represents the nation at ceremonial functions Serves as a __________________________
II. Roles of the President continued B. Chief ________________ Can issue executive orders, which have the same effect as a law Makes appointments (2,200 federal jobs) Appoints justices to the Supreme Court Removes appointed officials Has the power of impoundment (Nixon) Can issue reprieves and pardons Can grant amnesty
II. Roles of the President continued III. Chief _______________ A. The president often proposes ___________ to Congress. The ________________address is usually an outline of the presidential agenda for the year. B. Although he can propose legislation, Congress must ______________________. The president faces more opposition when the opposing party is in control of Congress. (divided government) He may use political favors to gain support for legislation he really wants to see pass. (campaign support, etc) Can use the ____________ to persuade Congress to cooperate.
II. Roles continued IV. Chief ___________________ The president also acts as the country’s top economic planner, although congress created the Council of _____________ in 1946 to assist. Since the ____________, the president’s use of this role has in increased. Economic goals the president pursues include high ________, production and purchasing power. One way the president directly influences the economy is by developing the country’s _________every year. (Congress has to approve)
II. Roles continued V. Chief of ___________ The president acts as head of his ________. As party leader, the president: A. Helps raise ________________ B. Helps organize and plan party strategy for campaigns and policy issues C. Uses political patronage to appoint party member to government jobs. Discussion question: Can this role ever be in conflict with other duties the president has?
II. Roles continued VI. Chief ___________________ A. Directs ____________ and oversees foreign affairs information agencies such as the _____, the ______ department and the National _________________. B. Has sole power to make _______, which are subject to _________ approval. (Remember WWI and the Treaty of Versailles?) C. May make executive agreements with foreign nations. Ex. FDR’s “lend/lease” program to aid the British in WWII. Has the sole power to recognize foreign governments.
II. Next. . . VII. __________________ As commander in chief, the president: A. Shares with ______ the power to _________ B. Makes key __________________. C. Supports war efforts on the home front during times of war. D. May use the armed forces to handle domestic issues such as ______________________. Remember that use of the military is a power that Congress watches very closely. Historically, this has led to tensions between the executive and legislative branches.
Chief Citizen The president is the “representative of the people” President takes the lead on an issue Is a place of “moral leadership” This role may not be as prominent as it once was and overlaps with Head of State Giving a patriotic speech, representing the people in the aftermath of a crisis
Chief Administrator The President is in charge of the ____________ 15 cabinet departments Hundreds of agencies Over 2 million+ civilian employees within the executive branch Appoints 2,200 people to jobs after taking office (“plum book” lists 8,000 jobs)
III. Styles of Leadership All presidents have the same tools of leadership available to them, but since they are individuals, they choose to use them in different ways. A. The Founders originally expected that the legislative branch would be the “dominant” branch and would lead the nation, not the president. B. One way presidents provide leadership is in introducing new ideas as well as responding to crises at home and abroad. Truman and civil rights Nixon and China Bush (43) after 9/11
II. Leadership Qualities and Skills Could you be president? Do you have the following? A. Presidents must have a good sense of what’s important to Americans and understand what the people want (mandates again) B. Presidents must be good communicators (chief persuader) C. Presidents must have a keen sense of timing D. Successful presidents: Are flexible and open to new ideas Are able to compromise But be willing to go against public opinion in matters they think are important.
III. Presidential Isolation One increased danger presidents face today is that their dependence on White House staff and close advisors will isolate them. Special treatment of a president by staff and advisers risks keeping information from them that helps them carry out their duties. Problems of personality--presidents may discourage staffers from disagreeing with them or giving them advice they don’t want to hear. Access to the president is controlled by top aides Dealing with staff issues cuts down on the time the president has to stay in touch with the people. Examples: Nixon and Regan
IV: Executive Privilege Because much of the advice presidents get and discussions they have involve classified information, presidents aren’t always comfortable letting Congress, the public or the media know what’s going on. They often rely on “executive privilege” to protect this information. Modern presidents have also claimed that executive privilege includes their communications with other members of the executive branch. The Supreme court has ruled that executive privilege is constitutionally based, but not without limits. U.S. v. Nixon http://www.oyez.org/oyez/resource/case/410/ The Pentagon Papers (Johnson & Vietnam)