Presentation by Dr. Kevin Lasher POL 101: U.S. Government Presentation by Dr. Kevin Lasher

Models of Presidential Behavior

Three Models of Presidential Behavior Sorenson’s theory of limitations Neustadt’s theory of presidential power Barber’s theory of presidential character x kkkkkkkkkk

Theodore Sorenson Advisor and speechwriter for JFK Taught at Princeton and Harvard Viewed presidency from both “inside” and “outside” kkkkkkkkkk

Sorenson’s limitations Presidents do not feel particular powerful They are limited or constrained by various factors More successful presidents overcome these limitations, less successful presidents do not kkkkkkkkkk

Sorenson’s limitations Limitations of permissibility Limitations of previous commitments Limitations of time Limitations of information Limitations of resources Institutional limitations kkkkkkkkkk

Limitations of Permissibility Certain policies are unacceptable for advanced democratic capitalist system Some degree of “morality” in international behavior Some notion of “good society” at home Use nuclear weapons, dominate other countries, ignore critical social problems, steal elections Torture, domestic spying, drones kkkkkkkkkk

Limitations of Previous Commitments Presidents inherit the policies and programs of their predecessors (not just recent ones) Presidents do not start with “clean slate” American troops in Europe, Japan, South Korea Obama inherits Iraq and Afghanistan from Bush kkkkkkkkkk

Limitations of Time Presidents are human not 24-hour machines Non-essential duties Presidents must choose 3-4 issues to focus on in first term Presidents cannot “police” the bureaucracy Crises must be dealt with and can change plans Re-election and lame-duck pressures kkkkkkkkkk

Limitations of Information kkkkkkkkkk Bureaucracy to provide president with advice on host of issues CEA, OMB, GAO, White House staff, academics, think tanks CIA, DIA, NSA, NSC, many others

Limitations of Information kkkkkkkkkk Presidents always have “imperfect” information Presidents must take risks with inadequate information Risks can lead to success or failure Desire for more information leads to “paralysis”

Limitations of Resources Federal budget is not unlimited (more of a problem for Democrats) Military manpower, political capital, presidential appeals to Congress, televised addresses kkkkkkkkkk

Institutional Limitations kkkkkkkkkk

Institutional Limitations Three branches with checks and balances Federal system designed to move slowly Often have “divided government” Federalism in which states have powers Presidents consider public opinion and re-election kkkkkkkkkk

Three Models of Presidential Behavior Sorenson’s theory of limitations Neustadt’s theory of presidential power Barber’s theory of presidential character x kkkkkkkkkk

Richard Neustadt Political Scientist at Columbia and Harvard (presidency) Advisor to several presidents Presidential Power and the Modern Presidents kkkkkkkkkk

Neustadt’s Presidential Power Power to command (give orders, deploy troops, launch air strikes, issue pardons, etc.) is relatively rare Power to persuade is more important --- persuade Congress to pass his laws --- persuade bureaucracy to follow his changes/reforms --- persuade American people to support his policies --- persuade other countries to agree with US policies kkkkkkkkkk

Neustadt’s Presidential Powers Power to Command Presidential Reputation Presidential Personality Power to Persuade Domestic Economic Success/Failure kkkkkkkkkk Presidential Popularity Foreign Policy Success/Failure

Neustadt’s Presidential Powers Power to Persuade Domestic Economic Success/Failure kkkkkkkkkk Presidential Popularity

Three Models of Presidential Behavior Sorenson’s theory of limitations Neustadt’s theory of presidential power Barber’s theory of presidential character x kkkkkkkkkk

James David Barber Political Scientist at Duke University (presidency) The Presidential Character Predicted “downfall” of President Nixon in 1969; launched his model kkkkkkkkkk

James David Barber Presidents bring a series of personality traits with them to the White House We want presidents with more “good traits” than “bad traits” Examined their personal and political history Four-party typology of presidential character/personality Lots of problems with model, but still “appealing” kkkkkkkkkk

Active or Passive ACTIVE Problem-solving, energetic, thrive on challenge of office Center of White House Democratic Party bias? PASSIVE Few policy initiatives, care-taker administration Ceremonial duties Aloof managerial style kkkkkkkkkk

Positive or Negative POSITIVE Enjoy being President Accept criticism, sense of humor, interact with press Flexible, learn from mistakes NEGATIVE Presidency as burden, office weighs heavily on them Thin-skinned, hate press Inflexible, cannot change course kkkkkkkkkk

Barber’s Typology     ACTIVE PASSIVE POSITIVE NEGATIVE FDR Bush 41 Truman Clinton JFK Carter Ford Harding Reagan  POSITIVE NEGATIVE  Wilson LBJ Nixon [Bush 43] Taft Coolidge Eisenhower  

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