1. Longman PoliticalScienceInteractive
Magleby & Light
Government by the People
Chapter 12
The Presidency
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2. Structure and Powers of the Presidency: Separate Powers
The United States is one of the few world powers that is neither a parliamentary democracy nor a wholly executive-dominated government
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3. Structure and Powers of the Presidency: Defining the Presidency
At the constitutional convention, the Framers debated whether the president should be elected via a direct election or through an electoral college
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4. Running for Office
Originally, the vice president was the runner-up in the electoral college vote
The Twelfth Amendment (1804) encouraged two candidates to run together as a presidential ticket
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5. The Vice Presidency
Benjamin Franklin: Vice president should be addressed as, “your Superfluous Excellency”
Beginning in the 1950s, the role of vice president became more important
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6. Presidential Succession
Twenty-second Amendment Presidential term limits
Twenty-fifth Amendment
Presidential succession
Impeachment
Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton: Charged by House, acquitted by Senate
Richard Nixon: Resigned while House was drafting charges
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7. The First Presidency Precedents set by Washington Presidential title
Two-term limit
White House staff
Department secretaries
President as sole authority in supervising executive branch
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8. The First Modern Presidency
Franklin D. Roosevelt
New Deal program ideas came from his “Brain Trust”
Policy Achievements: FDIC, SEC, Nat. Labor Relations Act, Social Security, minimum wages, maximum working hours, mortgage protections
FDR inspects some Civilian Conservation Corps camps in the Shenandoah Valley
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9. Presidential Power and Limitations
Congress often hesitates to curtail presidential powers, especially in times of war
Example:
In 2002, George W. Bush secretly authorized the NSA to eavesdrop on phone conversations
When the policy became public, Congress placed legislative limits on the authority
When concerns arose that these limits exposed the U.S. to a greater terrorism threat, Congress reversed the limits
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10. Presidents as Morale Builders ("Cheerleader-in-Chief")
The President performs important ceremonial functions, in both good times and times of crisis
At its finest, presidential leadership radiates national self-confidence and helps unlock the possibility for good that exists in the nation
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11. Formal Executive Powers
Appointment
Veto and pocket veto
Pardon
“Take care” power
Article II, Sec. 3: Presidents take care that the laws are faithfully executed, even if they disagree with the purpose of those laws
Sometimes used by presidents to claim inherent powers (powers that grow out of the very existence of government)
Grants tremendous implied (elastic) powers to the President
Inform and convene Congress
State of the Union address
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12. Presidential Powers: Diplomat-in-Chief
Foreign policy tools:
Appointing ambassadors
Receiving ambassadors
Treaties
Executive agreements
Fast-track trade authority
Meeting with foreign leaders to forge ties and make formal alliances
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13. Executive Agreements Less formal than an international treaty
Made between the President and another head of state
No Senate approval necessary
Considered politically binding, but not legally binding
Used frequently throughout American history
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14. Executive Orders
Formal directives that are just as strong as laws and can be challenged in the courts
Used frequently throughout American history
Executive Order 9066 might be the most famous one issued (FDR)
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15. Executive Privilege
The courts have recognized that presidents have the power to keep secrets; however, some experts argue that executive privilege has no constitutional basis
Richard Nixon and George W. Bush created controversy by invoking executive privilege
Boxes of newly released files from Richard M. Nixon's presidential papers
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16. Budget and Spending Power
Congress appropriates, presidents spend
Impoundment
Line-item veto (ruled unconstitutional)
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17. Presidential Powers: Commander-in-Chief
President is commander-in-chief of the armed forces, but Congress is charged with declaring wars
“Presidential prerogative” versus War Powers Act
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18. The War Power
Presidents have defended their power to engage American military troops.
In 1973, Congress enacted the War Powers Act in order to limit the ability of the president to commit the armed forces of the United States; however, presidents have generally ignored it.
In Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama,
Iraq (twice), Kosovo, and Afghanistan, the president did not ask Congress for a formal declaration of war.
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19. Presidents as Agenda Setters
National Security Policy
Economic Policy
Social Policy
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20. Presidential Mandates
A president’s claim of broad public support for the president or a policy issue
Depends in part on public approval, which generally falls over time
Presidents also benefit from rally points, spikes in public approval following a crisis
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21. Presidents as Persuaders
Instead of persuading lawmakers face-to-face, presidents can use their “bully pulpit” to sway public opinion
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22. Presidential Approval Ratings
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23. Judging Presidents
History tends to judge wars as the most significant test of a president’s leadership
Presidents also are judged by their ability to promote a distinctive vision of where the nation should go
Corruption and inability to deal with economic problems are sure paths to failure
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24. Three models for running the White House staff
Competitive
Hierarchical
Collegial
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25. The Executive Office of the President
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26. Departments of Defense, Justice, State, and Treasury
The Cabinet
The Cabinet
Advisory council for the president, consisting of the heads of the executive departments, the vice president, and a few other officials selected by the president
The Inner Cabinet
Departments of Defense, Justice, State, and Treasury
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27. The Cabinet
President, vice president, heads of the 15 executive departments, and several others chosen by president
Has always been loosely designated
Typically does not have as much influence over the president as does the White House staff
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