1. Chapter 9 The Presidency

2. Chapter 9 Section 1
Presidential Powers

3. Constitutional Powers
Need for a strong Executive
The founders recognized the need for a strong executive.
1. Overcome the weakness of the Articles of Confederation
Need to enforce laws created by Congress
2. Check the Legislative Branch
Sign bills / Veto Bills

4. Presidential Powers in Article II
Grants the president broad but vaguely described powers.
Commander in Chief armed forces, responsible for national security.
Appointment – executive departments + Supreme Court Judges
Senate confirms nominations
Conduct Foreign Policy
treaties (with the Senate’s approval)
appointing ambassadors

5. Presidential Powers Cont’d
Pardon - can pardon those convicted of federal crimes and can reduce a person’s jail sentence or fine
Execute the Laws – Carryout the laws
Convene with Congress –
annual State of the Union message to Congress,
proposes legislation,
call Congress into special session when necessary.

7. Section 1 Informal Sources of Power Inherent Powers
Powers claimed by the President that are not stated in the Constitution.
Expand the President’s Job
Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory from France.
Theodore Roosevelt said that the president has the right and duty to “do anything that the needs of the Nation demanded, unless such action was forbidden by the Constitution or by the laws.”
Needs of the Nation
During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus and jailed opponents of the Union without trial or the legal authority to do so.
During the Great Depression Franklin D. Roosevelt expanded the role of the federal government in the economy.

8. Section 1 Informal Sources of Power (cont.) Executive Privilege
Withhold information from Congress or the courts
Typically about information between President and Advisers
A mandate—the expressed will of the people, often in an election—is one of the greatest sources of political power.
Major newspapers, magazines and the Internet provide a forum, or medium for discussion, for presidential messages.

9. Limits on Presidential Powers
Limitation by Congress
Override a Veto
Senate approves nominations
or impeaching and removing the president from office for clear abuse of power.
Limitation by the Federal Courts
Federal courts also limit the president’s power.
Marbury v. Madison established the Supreme Court’s right to review legislative action.
Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company v. Sawyer ruled that there is no statute which authorized the president to take control of a private business.

10. Limits on Presidential Powers
Limitation by Bureaucracy
The federal bureaucracy sometimes limits presidential power by obstructing programs or failing to carry them out properly.
This happens often when key bureaucrats work closely with congressional leaders rather than the president.
Limitation by Public Opinion
Public opinion can limit the president’s actions.
Clinton’s health care program was derailed before it could be made into law because the people spoke out against it.

11. Section 1: The President’s Job Description The President’s Roles
Head of State
The President is head of state. This means he is the ceremonial head of the government of the United States, the symbol of all the people of the nation.
Chief Executive
The Constitution vests the President with the executive power of the United States, making him or her the nation’s chief executive.
Chief Administrator
The President is the chief administrator, or director, of the United States government.

12. More Roles of the President
Chief Diplomat
As the nation’s chief diplomat, the President is the main architect of American foreign policy and chief spokesperson to the rest of the world.
Commander in Chief
The Constitution makes the President the commander in chief, giving him or her complete control of the nation’s armed forces.
Chief Legislator
The President is the chief legislator, the main architect of the nation’s public policies.

13. More Roles of the President
Chief of Party
The President acts as the chief of party, the acknowledged leader of the political party that controls the executive branch.
Chief Citizen
The President is expected to be “the representative of all the people.”

14. Chapter 9 Section 2 + 3 + 4 Head of State and Chief Executive
Commander in Chief & Chief Diplomat
Legislative, Economic and Party Leader

15. Head of State Leader of the nation
Represents the nation at ceremonial functions.
Duties mentioned in Article II
Receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers
Natural Disasters / Tragedies
Visit the scene and provide comfort
Ceremonial
First pitch at MLB games, Winners of Super bowl, Religious ceremonies
President is a symbol of the entire United States.

16. Chief Executive Enforce Laws
Created by Congress
Heads the 2 million person executive branch.
FBI, Air traffic control, SS administration
Influences how laws are executed through executive orders, presidential appointments, removal of appointed officials, and impoundment.
Executive Order: a rule issued by the president that has the force of law.
Impoundment: the president’s refusal to spend money Congress has voted to fund a program

17. Executive Orders Obama 19 Executive orders in 100 days Trump
20 Executive orders (Feb 10, 2017)
PBS Trump Ex orders

18. Chief Executive Grants pardons, reprieves, or amnesty
Reprieve: grants a postponement of legal punishment
Pardon: a release from legal punishment
Amnesty: a group pardon to people for an offense against the government

19. Commander in Chief Commander in Chief of the Military
President has increased military power over the years
Send troops – riots, natural disasters
Power to make War
Congress declares war
Vietnam – Gulf or Tokin resolution – congressional approval
War Powers Act – limit presidents ability to wage war without congress approval
Need congressional approval – 60 days
War on Terrorism – Bush – Congressional approval
2002 – Iraq – congressional approval
2011 – Libya – Obama did not receive approval

20. Commander in Chief
The president shares, with Congress, the power to wage war.
The president makes key military policy decisions.
The president supports war efforts on the home front during wars.
The president may use the armed forces to end disorders or give aid in natural disasters.

21. Commander in Chief Times of War
Congress gives the president expanded power
Protect the safety of USA
Patriot Act – 2001
Gather information and detain suspects of terrorism
Wiretaps, secret searches, does not need warrant
Times of National Security
Threat of terrorism
Department of Homeland Security
Antiterrorism organization
Patriot Act and Freedom Act Video

22. Chief Diplomat President in is charge of foreign policy
Sign treaties
Senate approval (2/3 votes)
Sign executive agreements
Do not need senate approval
pacts with heads of foreign government.
Recognize foreign governments
The Power to make Treaties
With Senate approval, presidents can make treaties, or formal agreements with foreign governments.

23. Chief Legislator Congress creates laws Legislative Programs
President signs bills/execute laws (checks and balance)
Legislative Programs
The president proposes legislation to Congress, usually in the State of the Union Address.
The president must work harder for congressional support when Congress is controlled by the opposition party.
Divided Government
Tools of Presidential Lawmaking
Success of the presidency relies on a favorable congress
Republican white house – republican congress (2017)
The president may use political favors to gain congressional support
The president has the threat of the veto to influence Congress.

24. President and Congress
Influence Congress
Visit home state of a congressman
Federal projects to help a particular district/state
Public opinion
If the public supports the President, presidential proposal are better received
Veto
Has 10 days to sign/veto a bill
Does nothing – becomes a bill
Pocket Veto – does nothing and congress adjourns.
Line Item Veto – usually happens at state level
Supreme Court ruled line item veto for president unconstitutional

25. Economic Planner Not directly stated in the Constitution
Power over the economy has increased over time
New Deal – FDR
Great Recession - Obama
Federal Reserve System – central banking system
Banking Act 1935 – president can appoint members to the banking system
Employment Act – submit annual economic report to congress.
Economic Advisers – study domestic and international economy reports
Promotes high employment, production, and purchasing power.

26. Party Leader Leader of their Political Party
Reflects the party’s agenda and goals
The president helps raise party funds and plan campaign strategies.
Speeches to help members of party win elections
The president uses political patronage to appoint party members to government jobs.
Patronage: the practice of granting favors to reward party loyalty

27. Leadership Qualities and Skills
Presidents must know and understand the people of the United States.
Presidents
communicate effectively
explain their policies clearly
Successful presidents must:
1. be flexible and open to new ideas;
2. be able to compromise;
3. have political courage and be willing to go against public opinion in matters they believe are vital to the nation’s interests.

28. The Use of Executive Privilege
To keep White House discussions and advice secret, presidents invoke executive privilege to avoid giving such information to Congress or the courts.
Modern presidents have claimed that executive privilege also protects their communications with other members of the executive branch.
The Supreme Court has ruled that executive privilege is constitutionally based.