Chapter 14: The Presidency

Government Types Divided government occurs when a one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress.

Government Types Unified Government This occurs when the same party controls the White and both houses of Congress. In reality, it only occurs if the same ideological wing of the party is in effective control.

The Evolution of the Presidency Electoral College has the states choose electors to pick the president. The process established an orderly transfer from one incumbent to the next.

The Evolution of the Presidency Abraham Lincoln had one of the most dramatic effects on the presidency by enacting powers during a national emergency.

Powers of the President Alone Commander and chief of the armed forces. Grant federal pardons Appoint other officers

Powers of the President Alone Convene special sessions of Congress “Take care that the laws be faithfully executed” which has been called the Presidential “Elastic” Clause.

Powers of the President Shares with the Senate Make Treaties Appoint ambassadors, judges, and high officials. The President may approve legislation with both Houses.

Office Structure Pyramid Structure (hierarchy) occurs when president’s subordinates report to him through a chain of command. Circular Structure occurs where cabinet secretaries and assistants report directly to the President.

Office Structure Ad hoc Structure occurs when a number of people have access to the president.

Office Structure Executive Department The most important office is the Office of Management and Budget since it deals with helping the president administrate the federal government.

Office Structure Executive Department The Cabinet They are the heads of the 15 executive departments of the federal government. The president at will may remove them. Independent agencies serve fixed terms and can only be removed “for cause.”

Who Gets Appointed “In-and-outers” are people who alternate between private sector jobs and federal jobs. Rivalry and tension usually erupt between the White House Staff and department heads.

Power of Persuasion Bully Pulpit is a phrase that is used to describe the president using the prestige and visibility to guide or mobilize the American people. Presidential popularity usually results in more of his bills passing through Congress.

Power of Persuasion The highest time of popularity, the “honeymoon,” is the period right after an election.

The Power to Say No Veto When a president refuses to sign a bill, he has ten days to deliver his reasoning for that bill, it is known as the veto message. If the president does not sign a bill, and Congress adjourns within 10 days it is known as a pocket veto.

The Power to Say No Veto Line-item veto Commonly used by governors. First attempted by President Bill Clinton. It attempts to strike portions of a bill that the president does not approve of. The Supreme Court ruled this as unconstitutional.

The Power to Say No Executive Privilege This concept states that the president does not have to divulge information between himself and his principle advisers. This was challenged in the United States v. Nixon, in which the Supreme Court rule there is no “absolute unqualified…privilege of immunity…in all circumstances.”

The Power to Say No The president cannot delay the spending of funds because of policy if the money has been already been allocated by Congress.

The Power to Say No My opinion is! Signing statements A presidential document reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced. This allows the president to declare, in his opinion, if the law or part of it, is unconstitutional.

The Power to Say No Reorganization Every president since Herbert Hoover has attempted to reorganize the executive branch.

The Power to Say No Reorganization Legislative veto It was created under the Reorganization Act of 1939, which allowed the Senate to abolish an executive agency. In 1983, the Supreme Court ruled that legislative vetoes were unconstitutional. Currently, the president through a law of Congress can only accomplish reorganization.

The Power to Say No The Vice President Automatically become the president if the president dies in office or resigns. The only official task the vice president has is to preside over the Senate and break ties there.

The Power to Say No Succession Problems The VP, once they have taken the position of president, can nominate a new VP. Succession VP Speaker President Pro Tempore Cabinet leaders starting with the Secretary of State.

The Power to Say No Impeachment Civil officers (cabinet secretaries or bureau chiefs) are not subject to impeachment. It is defined as an indictment in a criminal trial. It is convened by the House. It is presided over by the Chief Justice. Conviction requires a two-thirds vote of the Senate.

The Power to Say No Impeachment The last impeachment conviction were two federal judges in 1989. In 1989, Federal Judge G. Thomas Porteous, was impeached and convicted of accepting kickbacks.

How Powerful is the President? Lame Duck is the term used to describe a president when he is about to leave office.

How Powerful is the President? Presidential Political Rules Move it or lose it: things must be done early in a president’s term. Avoid details: focus on three or four top priorities as president. Cabinets don’t get much accomplished; people do: make sure subordinates have well defined responsibilities.