The Presidency When we think of government, we think of the President of the United States Considered the most powerful man in the world He (or She) has a series of roles from ceremonial head of state to commander in chief (you must remember these!!) There’s just so much more…

The Founding Fathers The feared both anarchy and monarchy Fear of corruption by Senate – shared powers Fear of presidential bribery to ensure reelection Concern was balance of power How long do they serve – 2 term precedent but 22 nd Amendment ensures that Establishment of legitimacy of office and orderly transfer of power One solution – the Electoral College

The Electoral College A blessing and a curse… Created to ensure fair and balanced way to select a president Each state chooses delegates and met in their own capital to pick a president (now they meet in a national convention) Winner takes all approach and if no one wins a majority, then the House picks the president!! Needs to be reformed as the electorate is more informed and educated – maybe a percentage of electoral votes to each candidate??

The beginnings… Power of early presidents gave legitimacy to office (Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison) –Not a lot of activism so people didn’t fear the president (like a monarch) –Good relations with Congress, basically –Jackson believed in very strong presidency!!! Used his veto power, was very popular!! –Congress regains power from president until FDR and since then it’s been pretty even

Powers of the President Powers are found in Article II of the Constitution Presidents power can also be found in the ambiguous clauses of the Constitution including his Check and Balance powers, duty to execute the laws, etc The Presidents greatest source of power comes from politics and public opinion (authority and expectations)

Other powers include… Executive powers – execute laws, direct administration, appoint officials, foreign policy Legislative powers – recommend legislation, veto legislation and call special sessions Judicial powers – grant reprieves, grant pardons, commute sentences, grant amnesty

The White House Office This is the presidential staff – which the president really didn’t have until 1857 The office is made up of the president’s closest assistants Three types of structures of the Office… 1.Pyramid structure – hierarchy, Chief of Staff 2.Circular structure – all report to president 3.Ad hoc structure – informal, committees Typically a mix of all of these structures…

More on the office… President’s staff typically worked on the president’s campaign – support presidential agenda and priorities!!!! Lots of jockeying… everyone wants to be as close as possible to the president Proximity plays a huge role in power outside of the president – be near the president and you think you have power, too…

The Executive Office of the President Known as the EOP Shaped like an umbrella and is composed of agencies that report directly to the president such as… The OMB – Office of Management and Budget Independent agencies (regulatory commissions or corporations that carry out business like activities – created late 1800s)

The Cabinet Part of the EOP Composed of 14 executive departments Closest advisors to the president, but can act outside of his authority, advocate for their dept. Each one headed by a “Secretary” except Dept. of Justice which is headed by Attorney General Oldest and most prestigious is the State Dept and the biggest is the DOD (Pentagon) While the Cabinet is not specifically mentioned in the Constitution, it wields a lot of power and influence!!!! (school example – principals staff are his or her closest advisors while the department chairs are the cabinet, out for their own department as well as the school)

Characteristics of presidents Recent personalities and characteristics: Eisenhower – orderly, military style Kennedy – bold, articulate, improviser Johnson – master legislative strategist, micromanager Nixon – expert foreign policy, hated personal confrontation Ford – discussion oriented, genial Carter – Washington outsider, micromanager Reagan – set priorities let staff work, leader of public opinion Bush, Sr. – Washington insider, hands-on manager style Clinton – good communicator, followed liberal/center agenda G.W. Bush. – tightly controlled White House, focused on foreign affairs after 9/11

Power to persuade President has huge ability to use office to persuade public and fellow politicians Relies on prepared speeches – the bully pulpit Can use popularity to gain congressional support for bills and agenda Riding presidents coattails has been declining for years, minimal affect now Popularity affected by many factors, -Bush’s rating after 9/11 Usually highest during honeymoon period- Obama’s approval over 50% first year in office

Other powers to remember Veto power – includes pocket veto and overriding of a veto by Congress Executive privilege – need for advice but not absolute (Nixon v US) Impoundment of funds – president can choose not to spend money appropriated by Congress, but there are rules to this

Presidential transition Only 14 of 41 presidents have completed 2 terms – 8 have died in office (4 assassinated?) Vice president’s job “rather empty” – President of Senate and only 5 have been elected pres. Succession determined by 25 th Amendment now but not before… President ill?? VP in charge but who decides? A new president after a death must choose a new VP and he or she must be confirmed by a majority of BOTH houses!!!!!

Impeachment More judges than presidents get impeached Only Andrew Johnson, Nixon and Clinton could have been impeached Nixon resigned but surely would have been Johnson and Clinton indicted by House but not convicted in Senate

How powerful is the President? Less now than before – many constraints on the job 1.Complex issues 2.Constant watch by the media 3.More interest groups with more power! Responses to constraints include: 1.Get things done during honeymoon 2.Just a few priorities on agenda 3.Give power to White House staff and supervise closely THE END!! But wait…

So you want to be President? First you have to be nominated – lots of ways to do that but usually by party and popularity… 2 paths – 1. in local caucuses and state conventions a candidate and delegates are chosen 2. most common, voters choose in presidential primaries All delegates meet at a Party’s National Convention and they choose their candidate Finally is the general election and the voters and electoral college decide…