Chapter 13: The Presidency
The Basics 35 Years Old Natural Born Citizen 14 year Residency White, Protestant, Males Kennedy and Obama 13/43 have served 2 terms 6 chose not to 7 failed at reelection
Succession and Impeachment “Accidental Presidents” 9 VP’s have taken over upon death/resigning Gerald Ford example Impeachment House Senate Johnson and Clinton Nixon resigned
Disability and Succession Woodrow Wilson 25th Amendment (1967) Presidential Capacity Notification in writing VP and majority of the Cabinet House or Reps
Line of Succession VP, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore, Secretary of State…Cabinet in order of addition
Presidential Powers Original intent vs Today’s reality Most sensitive powers went to Congress -War, taxing, commerce -Senate must ok treaties and appointments 4 year terms, Electoral College America’s role in the world and technology are changing it
The Presidency Today 1970’s skepticism of power Vietnam, Watergate “Executive Privilege” Ford and Carter struggles Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush
The Chief Executive Preside, execute, administer “…faithfully execute the laws…” $3.7 trillion budget and over 4 million employees Appoints nearly 2,500 positions -more attention on loyalty creates more centralized policy Budgeting and Accounting Act 1921
Vice President Strategic selection for elections Preside over the Senate tie-breaking vote Presidential Capacity Succession More active lately
The Cabinet Washington’s precedent 3 + A.G. Congress must approve new positions and appointments Secretaries of…
Executive Office National Security Council (NSC) Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
White House Staff True employees of the President Jefferson had 2; paid for out of his own pocket Today, over 600 Chief of Staff is the boss Congressional liaisons Press Secretary Political Advisors
The First Lady No official duties Usually take up a cause i.e. Childhood Health Adams, Madison, and Wilson Clinton acted as part of the gov
Presidential Leadership of Congress Shared powers require co-op. and persuasion Chief Legislator State of the Union Signing Laws Veto Power (options) Effective threat (4%) Signing Statements Clinton v City of New York No line item vetoes
Resources for Passing Legislation 1. Party Leadership Party coalition D/R’s not all the same Loyal to const. Must use cong. Leaders Lose seats in midterms Decentralized parties Must convert opp. party
Resources for Passing Legislation 2. Public Support Public opinion (polls) pressures cong. Can depend on pop. of the Pres. Electoral Mandates 1932, 1964, 1980 claimed too often
Resources for Passing Legislation 3. Legislative Skills Honeymoon Bargaining, personal skills Agenda Setting Limited political capital; must decide where to use it
National Security Policy Chief Diplomat Recognition/Ambassadors Treaties (Senate o.k.) Executive Agreements Commander in Chief Civilian control of military (standing army, alliances) War Powers Resolution 1973 Consult w/ Cong. 60 days w/o Cong. approval Concurrent resolution would end action Legislative veto = unconstitutional
National Security Policy Crisis Manager Missile Crisis, Iran, 9/11, Katrina, BP President is able to act decisively National Security is easier to lead Domestic Policy requires persuasion
Power of the People More visible president- daily appearances Staged events Approval ratings allow for more infuence “Popularity” “Pocketbook”
The Public Presidency Bully Pulpit speeches/events to gather public support Mobilize public support to pressure congress -Reagan’s 1981 tax cuts (unusual)
The President and the Press Intermediary for the people Adversarial after 1960’s Press wants info Pres. wants message Whitehouse press secretary -Briefings -Scripted
The President and the Press “Body Watch” -where is he, what is he doing…? (substance?) Coverage is more superficial, oversimplified, and overblown Thematic coverage: Ford, G.W. bush