Chapter 10 The Presidency

Roles of the President  Chief of state – Ceremonial head of government  Chief executive – Head of the executive branch (appointment/removal; reprieves and pardons)  Commander in chief – Supreme commander of military forces (War Powers Resolution – 48 hours reporting; 60 day limit)  Chief diplomat – Recognizes foreign governments; makes treaties and executive agreements; nominates, receives ambassadors  Chief legislator – Recommending legislation, lobbying, signing/veto

© 2004 Wadsworth Publishing / Thomson Learning™

Chief Legislator  State of the Union  Proposing legislation Depends on party control in Congress  Signing legislation  Vetoing legislation Requires a veto message Pocket veto (during Congressional adjournment) Override requires 2/3 in House and Senate

Vetoes © 2004 Wadsworth Publishing / Thomson Learning™

Presidential Legislative Success

Powers  A = Constitutional Powers – Article 2 of the Constitution  B = Statutory powers – powers created by law  A+B = Expressed powers  Inherent powers – defined through practice

Special Powers  Emergency powers (fall under inherent powers) Exercised during crisis  Executive orders – (legislative power; have the force of law) Enforce legislative statutes Enforce the Constitution or treaties with foreign nations Establish or modify rules and practices of executive administrative agencies  Executive privilege (another inherent power) Right to withhold information from Congress  Limits to presidential power= Impeachment for abuses of power (“Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors”)

Super-politician  Party leader  Patronage (appointments; support)  Presidential constituencies  Public approval  “Going public”

Popularity © 2004 Wadsworth Publishing / Thomson Learning™

Presidential Approval Ratings and Military Action © 2004 Wadsworth Publishing / Thomson Learning™

Presidential Approval and Military Action, II © 2004 Wadsworth Publishing / Thomson Learning™

Executive Organization  Cabinet – advisory group; 15 cabinet secretaries (department heads) and attorney general  Executive Office of the President (EOP) – 10 staff agencies that assist the president. Most important include: White House Office (WHO) Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) Office of Management and Budget (OMB) National Security Council (NSC)

Line of Succession Table 10-1 © 2004 Wadsworth Publishing / Thomson Learning™

Discussion questions 1.What are the roles of the president? Describe each of them. 2.What are the sources of presidential power? 3.Does the president have too much power relative to Congress? 4.To what extent should presidents be able to invoke executive privilege? 5.Should the president’s war making powers be curbed?

Hot Links to Selected Internet Resources:  Book’s Companion Site: chmidtbrief chmidtbrief2004  Wadsworth’s Political Science Site:  The White House:  Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents of the United States: