1. The Executive Branch

2. Constitutional Powers of the President
National Security Powers
1. Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
2. Make treaties w/ other nations (+ 2/3 of Senate)
3. Nominate ambassadors (+ 2/3 of Senate)
4. Confer diplomatic recognition on other govts by receiving ambassadors from other nations

3. Legislative Powers
1. Present info on the state of the union to Congress
2. Recommend legislation to Congress
3. Convene both houses on extraordinary occasions
4. Veto legislation

4. Administrative Powers
1. "Take care that laws be faithfully executed “
2. Nominate officials (+ 51 Senators)
3. Request written opinions of admin officials
4. Fill admin vacancies during congressional recess

5. Judicial Powers
1. Grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses (except impeachment)
2. Nominate federal judges (+ 51 Senators)

6. I. The Presidency in the Constitution
a. Strong or weak? (Monarchy vs. "The Articles")
b. Checks on power

7. Il. Roles of the President
a. Commander-in-Chief
b. Head of State
c. Chief Legislator
d. Budget maker
e. Manager of the economy

8. Ill. Sources of Presidential Power
a. The electoral mandate
b. Access to mass media ("bully pulpit")
c., Presidential popularity
d. The power to persuade
e. The ability to reward and punish
f. The White House staff

9. IV. Recent Abuses of Presidential Power
a. Impoundment (Nixon)
b. The Vietnam War (Johnson, Nixon)
c. Watergate (Nixon)
d. The Iran-Contra Affair (Reagan, Bush I)
e. The Lewinsky Scandal (Clinton)
f. The Second Persian Gulf War (?) (Bush II)

10. V. Curbing the Imperial Presidency
a. Impeachment
b. Congressional action
VI. Limits on Presidential Power
a. Other political actors
1. Congress
2. Our Federal system
3. The White House Staff
b. Size and Complexity of the Federal Government
c. Presidential inexperience
d. Length of term in office

11. VII. The Executive and the "4 Theories“
a. Democratic perspective - The enduring question: can an executive that is strong enough to provide leadership, also be responsible to the people and not abuse power?
b. Pluralist perspective - Presidents are weakened because they must share power with two other branches. Policies which help the nation as a whole may intrude upon the desires of special interests.
c. Elitist perspective - The president is a powerful part of a small economic, political, and social elite that works for itself. The president is really a cheerleader or salesman for capitalist interests. Elections and the power of "the people" are largely overstated.

12. Top 10 Career Patrons of George W. Bush
1. Enron Corporation, Houston $550,025
2. Sanchez family and related companies, Texas $320,150
3. Vinson & Elkins, Austin, Texas $316,700
4. Hicks, Muse, Tate and Furst, Inc., and affiliated companies, Dallas $290,400
5. Bass family and business interests, Ft. Worth $273,927
6. The Sterling Group and related companies $259,000
7. Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, Dallas/Lonnie “Bo” Pilgrim $231,750
8. Farmers Group, Inc., Los Angeles $223,500
9. Sam and Charles Wyly, Jr., and business interests $222,773
10. After & Hadden, Cleveland/Tom Loeffler $210,700

13. Top 10 Career Patrons of Al Gore
1. Ernst and Young International, New York $125, BellSouth Corporation, Atlanta $104, The Goldman Sachs Group, New York $99, D.E. Shaw and Company, New York/ Shaw and Kobliner families $ 98, Citigroup and affiliated companies, New York $91, Viacom and affiliated companies, New York $89, Mattel/ The Learning Company, Segundo, Cal. $76, Eskind Family, Nashville, Tennessee $74, Walt Disney Company and affiliated companies, Burbank California $ 68, Olan Mills Family, Chattanooga, Tennessee $67,950