1. Chief Executive of the United States
The Presidency
Chief Executive of the United States

2. A complicated position
People have great expectations for presidents to be powerful like Washington, Lincoln, FDR, and JFK
But, they’re skeptical of concentrated power…
A complicated position

3. Heads of State & Government
Head of State: Ceremonial Duties
Head of Government: Policymaking Authority
United States: President serves both purposes
Great Britain: Queen vs. Prime Minister
Heads of State & Government

4. Requirements of Presidents
Formal Requirements
35 years old
Resident of US for past 14 years
Natural born citizen
Informal “Requirements”
White (Except Obama)
Male
Protestant (except Kennedy)
All manner of professions, but mostly political ones
Former state governors
Congressmen
Requirements of Presidents

5. Elections & Terms Elected to office Serve 4-year term
Exploratory Committee  Announce Candidacy  Win Primary  Win General Election
Popular Vote
Electoral College
Almost all states use winner-take-all system
If no candidate wins a majority (270 votes) the House of Representatives would decide the election
12th Amendment – President & VP elected as a ‘ticket’
Serve 4-year term
22nd amendment limited number of terms to two (1951)
Most presidents have been elected into office
Can also acquire office as VP if Pres. dies or is removed
Elections & Terms

6. 25th Amendment (1967) defined presidential succession & disability
VP serves as acting president if president is disabled, as determined by the VP & majority of Cabinet or 2/3 vote fo Congress
New VP must be confirmed by majority vote of both houses
VP takes office if President dies, resigns, or is convicted in an impeachment
Succession

7. Indictment - Investigated by the House of Representatives (majority)
Conviction - Tried by the Senate (2/3 vote)
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides
Only 2 in history & neither convicted
Andrew Johnson
Bill Clinton
(Nixon just resigned)
impeachment

8. Constitutional powers
National Security
Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces
Standing military + nuclear arsenal
Can deploy troops without congressional consent
Makes treaties with other nations to be ratified by the Senate
Sign executive agreements in routine matters with other countries
Negotiate peace between other countries
Leads US & Allies in defense & economic issues
Shared War Powers w/congress
Legislative Powers
Veto power
State of the Union Address
Administrative Nominations
Judicial Nominations
Grant Pardons
Constitutional powers

10. Informal Powers Inherent Powers – restrict power of Congress & Courts
Executive Order – presidential order that has force of law & does not require congressional approval
Executive Agreement – presidential agreement with another country that does not require Senate approval
Similar to treaties
Technically end when president leaves office…
Informal Powers

11. Expansion of Power Congressional Delegation of Power Perspectives
Delegated Powers: Congress gives executive branch more power to address new problems
Examples: FDR & New Deal; PATRIOT Act; NSA’s wiretapping program
Congress can enact legislation to reassert its authority
Perspectives
1950s & ‘6os favored powerful president
1970s – power checked & distrusted by the public
Why???
Expansion of Power

12. Executive Branch President Vice President Cabinet
Few constitutional duties
Recent VPs have been given important jobs by presidents
Cabinet
Presidential advisors
Not explicitly listed in Constitution
Cabinet Secretaries represent federal departments
Secretaries confirmed by the Senate
Executive Branch

13. Executive Office Several policymaking & advisory bodies
3 principle groups
NSC – National Security council
Coordinate foreign policy & military advisors
President, VP, Secreatries fo State & Defense, National Security Advisor
CEA – Council of Economic Advisers
3-member body to advise on economic policy
OMB – Office of management & Budget
B- Prepares annual budget to send to Congress
M – oversight of bureaucracy
Executive Office

15. Other influences White House Office First Lady
White House Staff are the chief aides & staff of president
Chosen on basis of loyalty to the president
Need not be confirmed
Example: National Security Advisor
First Lady
No official government position
Many get involved politically
Recently focus on single issue
Example: Michelle Obama’s fight for nutritious school lunches
Other influences

16. Interaction w/Congress
Party Leadership
Psychological bond between legislators & president with regard to party
Controversial issues weaken support
Use favors as leverage
Coattail effect – minor influence
Congressional bills must be approved by the President before becoming law
Veto Power
Veto: send a bill back to Congress with reasons for rejecting it
Can be overridden by a 2/3 vote in both houses
Pocket Veto: let a bill die by not signing it in 10 days when Congress is adjourned
Line Item Veto: ability to veto parts of a bill (usually $$)
Governors may have this
President does NOT
Signing Statements – written message issued by president upon signing a bill that states objectives to some of the provisions in the bill
Not provided for in the Constitution
GWB increased use
Obama also increasing use
Interaction w/Congress

17. Signing statement examples
President Franklin Roosevelt indicated in a signing statement in 1943, during World War II, that he felt Section 304 of the Urgent Deficiency Appropriations Act of 1943 was unconstitutional, but that he had no choice but to sign the bill "to avoid delaying our conduct of the war.“
George W Bush. – ‘Iran Freedom Support Act’ 2006 – “I applaud Congress for demonstrating its bipartisan commitment to confrontin the Iranian regime’s repressive and destabilizing activities…’
Signing statement examples

18. Congress continued Mandates Legislative Skills
Perception that voters strongly support president’s leadership & policies
Infrequent, but presidents may claim a mandate anyway
Legislative Skills
Bargaining, making appeals, consulting with Congress, setting priorities in State of the Union address
Use the ‘honeymoon period’ wisely
Key agenda builder
Work with Congress for support & funding of foreign policies
Congress continued

19. Public support is perhaps greatest source of influence a president has
Stage appearances to gain attention
Ceremonial functions = favorable press coverage
Presidential Approval
Product of many factors: war, economy, ‘honeymoon period’
Changes highlight good/bad decisions
Media Contact
Press Secretary is main contact person of White House
Often more interested in the person, not the policies
Coverage has become more negative
Televised messages have low success in gaining support
Public presidency

20. Approval ratings

21. Summary Americans expect a lot from presidents
Presidents work as part of an organization of the executive branch and federal government
Presidential leadership of Congress is central but difficult
Presidential roles and responsibilities are tied to the Madisonian system of checks & balances
Summary