1. The Presidency: Leading the Nation
Chapter 12

2. Foundations of the Modern Presidency
Article II of the Constitution
Broadly worded discussion of presidential power
The changing conception of the presidency
Jackson and Lincoln
Whig theory: presidency was limited or restrained office
Stewardship theory: strong, assertive presidential role
Theodore Roosevelt
The need for a strong presidency
Foreign policy leadership
Domestic policy leadership

3. 373 table 12-1

4. Choosing the President
The nominating process has grown more democratic over time
Currently voters choose the presidential nominees through electing delegates to national party conventions
Invisible primary
Primaries (New Hampshire first)
Caucuses (Iowa first)
Importance of money
Importance of momentum

5. 378 table 12-2

6. Choosing the President
The national party conventions
Formally selects the party’s presidential candidate
Presidential candidate selects the vice presidential candidate.
The party decides on a platform.
The party heals wounds and divisions from the nominating campaign.
The party presents its candidate to the voters.

7. Choosing the President
Need 270 electoral votes in the Electoral College
Focus on battleground states
The importance of money
The importance of using the media properly
Internet and television
Constitutional requirements
At least thirty-five years old
Natural-born citizen
U.S. resident for at least 14 years

8. 385 Electoral strategy map

9. 387 table 12-3

10. Staffing the Presidency
The vice president
The Executive Office of the President (EOP)
White House Office
Communications Office
Office of the Press Secretary
Office of the Counsel to the President
Office of Legislative Affairs
Office of Management and Budget
National Security Council
National Economic Council

11. Staffing the Presidency
Cabinet and agency appointees
Cabinet no longer used as an advisory body
The problem of control
Most severe with appointees working in the departments and agencies outside of the White House

12. Factors in Presidential Leadership
The force of circumstance
Periods of presidential dominance marked by special set of circumstances: decisive election victory and a compelling national problem
The stage of the president’s term
Honeymoon period
Decreased success over time, especially in a second term

13. Factors in Presidential Leadership
The nature of the issue: foreign or domestic
Presidents have greater power with foreign policy
Congress offers greater challenges over domestic policy
Relations with Congress
Seeking cooperation from Congress
Power of persuasion
Benefiting from partisan support in Congress
Colliding with Congress
Impeachment
War Powers Act

14. 398 fig 12-1

15. Factors in Presidential Leadership
Public support
Presidential approval ratings typically decrease over time
State of the economy
Foreign crises
The televised presidency: going public

16. 401 table 12-4

17. The Illusion of Presidential Government
Negative press portrayals require the president to try to “spin” the story.
Presidents get too much credit when things go well and too much blame when things go badly.