1. Chapter 6 Section 2
Mr. Plude

2. Executive Powers Three main powers:
-appointing and removing key executive-branch officials
-issuing executive orders
-maintaining executive privilege.

3. Appoints top posts in executive branch Directly appoint 3,000 people.
Executive Powers
Appointment and Removal Powers
Appoints top posts in executive branch
Directly appoint 3,000 people.
Can use power as a political tool
About 1/3 “Advise and consent” of Senate

4. Most “at the pleasure of the president
Executive Powers
Appointment and Removal Powers
“Advise and consent” Supreme Court justices, federal judges, ambassadors, cabinet members, top military advisors
Most “at the pleasure of the president
Exceptions: federal judges Congress can impeach them

5. Executive Powers
Executive Orders
Executive orders: rules or regulations with force of law
Not in Constitution
Gives great power to interpret Congress’s laws
Used to clarify a law’s application to bureaucracy
Establish rules, regulations for operation of an executive agency
Signing statements: issued at time of law’s signing, specify a provision president plans to ignore or modify

6. Executive Powers
Executive Privilege
Executive privilege president can refuse to release information
In interest of national security
Classified information
Upheld by courts within limits
Nixon, Watergate an exception

7. Diplomatic and Military Powers
Diplomatic Powers
President represents U.S.
treaties, alliances, trade relationships
Treaties need 2/3rds Senate approval
Congress can alter or override treaties.
Executive agreements can be made between president & head of foreign government
does not require advise & consent
Diplomatic recognition: formally recognize legitimacy of foreign government

8. Diplomatic and Military Powers
Presidents take military action without declaration of war
Armed Forces called out over 200 times
Congress declared war only five times.
1973: War Powers Resolution requires president to consult with Congress before, during possible armed conflict

9. Legislative Powers
Legislative Powers
Influence Congress as agenda-setter
Proposes legislation to Congress
Has power of veto
Congress can override with 2/3rds vote
Threat of veto also a great power

10. Judicial Powers
Nominate federal judges often with same political views
Alter sentences
Judicial power checked by Senate
Supreme Court justices serve lifetime term
Appointments influence courts long after term

11. Judicial Powers Reprieve postpones sentence
Granted for humanitarian reasons
Granted to give person chance to present new evidence
Pardon releases convicted criminal from having to fulfill sentence

12. Judicial Powers Amnesty and Commutation
Amnesty general pardon to group (draft evaders Vietnam)
Commute Reduce a sentence
Federal cases only / No state authority
Cannot be overturned
Often granted at the end term

13. Informal Powers Powers not stated in Constitution
Access to media-Television, radio, social media coverage available any time
Media experts help shape messages to present effectively to public

14. Informal Powers Skilled communicators: FDR (fireside chats)
John F. Kennedy (Fist to use T.V. effectively)
Ronald Reagan (The Great Communicator)

15. Informal Powers Party leader gives great source of informal power
Party follows president’s agenda & works for passage
Unifies party message
National polls show approval ratings by public
President with high approval rating better able to lead

17. Informal Checks on Power
Media
Informs public
Alerts to possible abuses of power
1st Amendment protections
Freedom of speech outlet
Example: Vietnam War, Pentagon Papers, Watergate
Public approval ratings / Crtiticisms

18. Changes in Presidential Power
The First 100 Years
— Government based on separation of powers
— Gave majority of power to Congress
James Madison
— Federalist Paper No. 51
— “in a republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates”

19. Changes in Presidential Power
Limited Expansion of power
— John Adams nor Thomas Jefferson vetoed any legislation.
— Jefferson: “vetoes reserved for cases of constitutionality”
Challenges congressional predominance
— Jefferson - Louisiana Purchase
— Andrew Jackson believed “president was one true representative of the people”

20. Expansion of Presidential Power
Civil War marked rapid expansion
Authority expanded to meet the emergency.
Justified by Lincoln’s belief that the Constitution was being endangered
Any steps taken to defend nation, he deemed legal
Generally supported by Congress

21. Expansion of Presidential Power
Congress resumed traditional leading role after war
Lincoln’s actions became model for later presidents

22. Expansion of Presidential Power
Theodore Roosevelt: Expanded president’s role using the “bully pulpit”
Using media to spread his messages
Congress increased executive branch authority:
regulating commerce
Creating national parks Created Yellowstone
ensure safety of food supply FDA

27. Expansion of Presidential Power
Franklin Roosevelt expanded powers during Great Depression
Convinced Congress to create host of new government programs
People expected government to solve societal problems.

29. Presidential Power Expands {continued}
1960s, 1970s:
Conservatives: government had become too big
Liberals: presidency had taken qualities resembling monarchy (unchecked power)

30. Presidential Power Expands {continued}
Following victories in World Wars I and II, U.S. became most powerful nation in world
Most power vested in executive branch

32. Presidential Power and the Media
Presidents project power through media
Technology has changed, but presidents have long relied on media
Early 1800s: posters, pamphlets, friendly newspapers
Roosevelt: radio for “fireside chats”
Modern presidents use television, internet