1. President Obama watching the Bin Laden Raid

3. The Presidency

4. The Founding Fathers The feared both anarchy and monarchy
Fear of presidential bribery to ensure reelection
Concern was balance of power
How long do they serve – 22nd Amendment ensures 2 term precedent
Washington starts the precedent,
but FDR creates the need for an
amendment

5. The Founding Fathers
Establishment of legitimacy of office and orderly transfer of power
Many nations you have a new chief executive coming into power with the aid of military force or the previous leader leaves in disgrace, exile or is dead.
We take for granted the peaceful exchange of power

6. The Presidents Who They Are Formal Requirements: Must be 35 years old
Must be a natural-born citizen
Must have resided in U.S. for 14 years
All manner of professions, but mostly political ones (former state governors, for example)

7. Characteristics of presidents
Recent personalities and characteristics: NOT ON TEST…
Eisenhower – orderly, military style
Kennedy – bold, articulate, improvisor
Johnson – master legislative strategist, micromanager
Nixon – expert foreign policy, hated personal confrontation
Ford – discussion oriented, genial
Carter – Washington outsider, micromanager
Reagan – set priorities let staff work, leader of public opinion
Bush, Sr. – Washington insider, hands-on manager style
Clinton – good communicator, followed liberal/center agenda
Bush, Jr. – tightly controlled White House, foreign affairs have dominated since 9/11

8. Powers of the President
Powers are found in Article II of the Constitution
Presidents power can also be found in the ambiguous clauses of the Constitution, duty to execute the laws, etc. also called Inherent/Vested Powers
Similar to the Necessary Proper for legislative

9. Identify the 4 types formal powers the president has and give an example

10. Informal Powers #1
One of the President’s greatest source of power comes from building public opinion through bargaining and persuasion
Uses his influence to secure Congressional action and pressure them via the voters
Social media and the internet has only made this more effective over the years

11. Power to Persuade…
President has huge ability to use office to persuade public and fellow politicians
Bully Pullpit: The president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public.
Fun Fact: comes from Teddy Roosevelt's reference to the White House as a "bully pulpit" meaning that he could use it as a platform to promote his agenda.
Can use popularity to gain congressional support for bills and agenda
Riding presidents coattails has been declining for years, minimal affect now
However in Many republicans won because their names were attached to Trump. Can be good or bad depending…

13. Bully Pullpit = State of the Union
He shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.
— Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution

15. Informal Power #2 : Executive Agreements
Definition: An international agreement between the head of state (president) and leadership of another(s) country.
Example: U.S. joining the Paris climate agreement in 2016.
Because the US plan was termed an "executive agreement," Obama did NOT require Senate approval for ratification as would be needed for a treaty.
Saves President a lot of time and gridlock in Congress
USA under Trump leaves agreement in Was the only country to do so.

17. Informal Power #3: Executive Order
A written rule/directive from the president that carries the force of law. It usually deals with operations of the federal government or executive branch itself.
Examples:
Emancipation Proclamation,
Truman’s integration of U.S armed forces,
Executive Order Protecting The Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The United States
aka Muslim Ban

19. Executive Orders
Executive Orders are a very important tool that the president can utilize
They enable the President to almost make laws and bypass the Legislative branch. Makes it easier to get things done!
Most recent presidents have been criticized for using them so heavily
This is allowed under vested/inherent powers!
Is this process Democratic/fair?

20. Informal Power #4: Signing Statements
Signing Statement: A presidential document that reveals what the president thinks of a new law and HOW it ought to be enforced.
Sometimes can be used to modify the INTENT of a passed law.
Congress/President = healthy tension?

21. Recent Example…

22. Versus….

23. Formal Powers Revisited: Impeachment
Impeachment is investigated by the House, and if impeached, tried by the Senate with the Chief Justice presiding. If found guilty then the consequence is removal from office.
More judges than presidents get impeached
Only Andrew Johnson and Clinton have been impeached
Nixon resigned but surely would have been
Johnson and Clinton indicted by House but not convicted in Senate

24. Formal Powers Revisited
Veto: Power to say no
President can veto legislation, joint, and concurrent resolutions
Line item veto: a president can block or nullify part(s) of a bill without vetoing entire bill itself
Helpful for efficiency and reduce waste in bills
Supreme court ruled it unconstitutional

25. Formal Powers Revisited
Nominate supreme court justices to (life-time appointments)
Very powerful way to influence policy making
Commander in Chief: President is the sole leader of the United States Armed forces.

26. Formal Powers Revisited
Pocket veto: bill fails to become law because president did not sign it within 10 days
Executive Privilege: communication between president and close advisors has right to confidentiality.
Pres. Has a right to hear candid advice
National security etc
Supreme court ruled Nixon had to give up tapes for Watergate. Privilege NOT absolute.
Trump?

27. Federalist 70: The Executive
How powerful should a president be? What reforms/changes would you place upon the office?
Don’t make it about Trump, discuss the function of the OFFICE!

28. Amendments Dealing with Presidential Functions
20th amendment
22nd amendment: Formally establishes 2 term presidency in tradition of Washington
In response to Franklin Roosevelt’s many terms
25th amendment: Establishes clear protocol for presidential succession via “acting president”
Very current events relevant

29. 25th amendment
Current Interest: Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
What does this mean?

30. The Cabinet Composed of 15 executive departments
Closest advisors to the president, but have varying levels of influence, they also must advocate for their department.
Each one headed by a “Secretary” except Dept. of Justice which is headed by Attorney General
While the Cabinet is not specifically mentioned in the Constitution, it wields a lot of power and influence!!!!

31. Running the Government: The Chief Executive

32. White House Staff
President’s staff typically worked on the president’s campaign – support presidential agenda and priorities!!!!
Lots of competition… everyone wants to be as close as possible to the president. Very loyal for the most part!
Proximity plays a huge role in power outside of the president – be near the president and you think you have power, too…

33. Electoral College

34. What are some features of the electoral college system?
There is a winner-take-all system in forty-eight states (No proportional)
If no one wins a majority of electoral college votes, the election is decided by the House of Representatives and state delegations
State electoral ballots are opened and counted before a joint session of Congress
Occasionally an elector will vote for a presidential candidate other than the one who carried his or her state

35. Electoral College

36. Electoral College Magic number is 270 out of the possible 538
Set up as the safety valve against the idea of the “ignorant masses” voting somebody into office that shouldn’t be
Created to make the small population states important to a candidate(supposedly)
“Winner take all system” except for 2 states (Nebraska and Maine)

37. Electoral College Con’t
Steps in the process
First Tuesday after the first Monday in November is the General Election (popular vote)
First Monday after the second Wednesday in December is day the electors cast their votes
January 6 is the day the votes are counted and the official declaration of who is president is made
January 20 is inauguration day, sworn in by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

38. Electoral College Con’t
For tomorrow, you are to find evidence to support either agreeing with the use of the Electoral College or the disagreeing with the use of the Electoral College. In class we will discuss and debate the issue after current events. A good website for both sides is