1. THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT June 9 th, 2003

2. Images of the Presidency the “imperial” presidencythe “imperial” presidency the “imperilled” presidencythe “imperilled” presidency the President as persuaderthe President as persuader

12. FRODO HAS FAILED...

13. Formal Roles of the President formal powers over other branches of governmentformal powers over other branches of government

14. Controls Budget, Approves Nominations and Treaties, Override Veto, Impeach Nominates Judges VETO! Declare Acts Unconstitutional

15. Formal Roles of the President formal powers over other branches of governmentformal powers over other branches of government Chief Political ExecutiveChief Political Executive – the White House – Executive Office of the President – the Cabinet Head of StateHead of State Commander in ChiefCommander in Chief Key powers in Foreign PolicyKey powers in Foreign Policy

16. Formal Limits on the Power of the President CongressCongress

17. Controls Budget, Approves Nominations and Treaties, Override Veto, Impeach VETO!

18. Formal Limits on the Power of the President CongressCongress Supreme CourtSupreme Court

19. Controls Budget, Approves Nominations and Treaties, Override Veto, Impeach Nominates Judges VETO! Declare Acts Unconstitutional

20. Formal Limits on the Power of the President CongressCongress Supreme CourtSupreme Court Term Limits -- 22nd Amendment (1951)Term Limits -- 22nd Amendment (1951) –lame duck president –unrestrained president

21. Informal Power of the President five constituenciesfive constituencies – the executive officialdom – Congress – partisans – citizens at large – interests from abroad

22. Informal Power of the President n five constituencies n unity and energy n symbolic leader

23. Images of the Presidency the “imperial” presidencythe “imperial” presidency the “imperilled” presidencythe “imperilled” presidency the President as persuaderthe President as persuader

24. The “Power” of the Presidency? Different Times/Presidents...Different Presidential ImagesDifferent Times/Presidents...Different Presidential Images –electoral mandate

25. Presidential Election Results

26. The “Power” of the Presidency? Different Times/Presidents...Different Presidential ImagesDifferent Times/Presidents...Different Presidential Images –electoral mandate –cycle of presidential popularity

27. The “Power” of the Presidency? Different Policy Areas...Different Presidential ImagesDifferent Policy Areas...Different Presidential Images –domestic policy vs. foreign policy the main formal checks on presidential power tend to operate in the domestic realmthe main formal checks on presidential power tend to operate in the domestic realm –Congress –Supreme Court –military action and presidential popularity

29. The “Power” of the Presidency? Power to Propose, Power to OpposePower to Propose, Power to Oppose –ability of president to propose ability of president to enact legislationability of president to enact legislation –ability of president to oppose

30. The “Power” of the Presidency? Different Times/Presidents...Different Presidential ImagesDifferent Times/Presidents...Different Presidential Images Different Policy Areas...Different Presidential ImagesDifferent Policy Areas...Different Presidential Images Power to Propose, Power to OpposePower to Propose, Power to Oppose

31. Main Point! the power of presidency is...the power of presidency is... –variable and fluid –circumscribed the different images of presidential power mirror the tension between mass politics and concern for individual rights and limited governmentthe different images of presidential power mirror the tension between mass politics and concern for individual rights and limited government tension among different democratic models is evident in the paradoxical public views of the presidencytension among different democratic models is evident in the paradoxical public views of the presidency

32. Paradoxes of the Presidency 1. Demand strong leadership/Suspicious of strong leadership1. Demand strong leadership/Suspicious of strong leadership 2. Want president to represent “common” people; yet want president to be a heroic figure2. Want president to represent “common” people; yet want president to be a heroic figure 3.Want a president that is decent, just, caring, compassionate; yet want the president to be ruthless in situations that require it.3.Want a president that is decent, just, caring, compassionate; yet want the president to be ruthless in situations that require it.

33. Paradoxes of the Presidency 4. Want president to be “above politics”; yet an effective president must be highly political.4. Want president to be “above politics”; yet an effective president must be highly political. 5. Want a president that can unify diverse people and interests; yet, want a president that will take firm stands on controversial issues (that necessarily divide people)5. Want a president that can unify diverse people and interests; yet, want a president that will take firm stands on controversial issues (that necessarily divide people)

34. Paradoxes of the Presidency 6. Want president to provide vision, leadership; yet, want president to respond to the will of the people.6. Want president to provide vision, leadership; yet, want president to respond to the will of the people. 7. Want powerful, self-confident leadership; suspicious of leaders who seem arrogant or view themselves as infallible and/or above criticism.7. Want powerful, self-confident leadership; suspicious of leaders who seem arrogant or view themselves as infallible and/or above criticism.

35. Paradoxes of the Presidency 8. What it takes to become president are not necessarily the traits need to be president.8. What it takes to become president are not necessarily the traits need to be president. 9. Presidents are strong in some areas and weak in others -- leads public to a clash of expectations9. Presidents are strong in some areas and weak in others -- leads public to a clash of expectations