How To Understand The Power Of A President

Transcription

1 Chapter 13

2 Chapter 13: The Presidency

3 The Presidents Great Expectations Americans want peace, prosperity, and security. Americans want a president who is powerful and who can do good like Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Kennedy. Yet Americans do not like a concentration of power because they are individualistic and skeptical of authority.

4 The Presidents Great Expectations Americans want peace, prosperity, and security. Americans want a president who is powerful and who can do good like Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Kennedy. Yet Americans do not like a concentration of power because they are individualistic and skeptical of authority.

5 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

6 Presidential Backgrounds A haberdasher from Missouri, a war hero, a Boston-Irish politician, a small town Texas boy, a California lawyer, a former Rose Bowl player

7 a peanut farmer turned governor, an actor turned governor, a CIA chief and ambassador a small state governor, a baseball team owner, and a community organizer turned senator.

8 The Presidents How They Got There Most run for office The accidental presidency <10% of US history an unelected president

9 The Presidents How They Got There 22 nd Amendment (1951) Only 13 of 43 have served two complete terms Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jackson, Grant, Cleveland, Wilson, FDR, Eisenhower, Reagan, Clinton and Bush

10 The Presidents How They Got There 22 nd Amendment (1951) Impeachment

11 The Presidents Impeachment Impeachment is an accusation, requiring a majority vote in the House. Charges may be brought for Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. If impeached, the president is tried by the Senate with the Chief Justice presiding. Only two presidents have been impeached Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton and neither was convicted.

12 The Presidents How They Got There 22 nd Amendment (1951) Impeachment Succession 25 th Amendment (1967) 1. Vice President 2. Speaker of the House 3. President pro tempore 4. Cabinet heads in order

14 Constitutional Powers Framers feared anarchy and monarchy Created a unique chief executive Reelection and short term of office Relatively few powers

15 Constitutional Powers Four Broad Powers Article 2 1. Administrative/Executive Powers 2. Legislative Powers 3. National Security Powers 4. Judicial Powers Framers checked those powers considered most dangerous Power to declare war to the congress Senate approves treaties and appointments

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17 Expansion of Presidential Power More power today than the Constitution suggests. Prominence of the US Technology

18 Presidential Powers The Expansion of Power Presidents may develop new roles for and expand power of the office. Perspectives on Presidential Power During the 1950 s and 1960 s people favored a powerful president. By the 1970 s, presidential power was checked and distrusted by the public.

19 Perspectives on Presidential Power Strong Presidency 1950s and 1960s Strong-weak rating The Imperial Presidency 1970s Presidency too powerful Nixon Ford/Carter Reagan G.H.W. Bush Clinton G. W. Bush

20 How has the power of the presidency grown since the country began?

21 Is the term Imperial Presidency a criticism? Why or why not? How has the power of the presidency grown since the country began?

23 The Chief Executive Constitution: take care that the laws be faithfully executed Fed. bureaucracy $2.5 trillion a year more than 4 million employees. Appoints 500 high-level positions 2,500 lesser jobs

24 Chief Executive Large executive branch complex public policy policy goals. Centralized decision-making in the White House Pro Bureaucracy should be more responsive to elected officials Con Bureaucracy should be independent, supporting intent of laws

25 Chief Executive The Vice Presidency 1. Preside over the senate and break tie votes 2. Assume the presidency if called upon 3. Symbolic constituency 4. Larger role 1. Al Gore 2. Dick Cheney 3. Joe Biden

26 Chief Executive The Cabinet Not in the Constitution 15 departments 14 Secretaries 1 Attorney General

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28 Chief Executive The Executive Office of the President EEOB (Eisenhower Executive Office Building)

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30 Chief Executive National Security Council (NSC) Created in 1947 to coordinate the president s foreign and military policy advisers Members include the president, vice president, secretary of state and defense, and managed by the president s national security adviser

31 Chief Executive Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 1921 Prepares president s budget Performs managerial and budgetary functions Reviews regulations

32 Chief Executive Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) A 3 member appointed by the president to advise on economic policy Inflation, unemployment, Economic Report of the President

33 Identify and explain three policymaking bodies of the Executive Office?

34 Chief Executive The White House Staff (West Wing residents)

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36 Chief Executive Personal staff & key aides Chief of staff, congressional liaisons, press secretary, etc.. Travel plans, answer letters About 600 people Completely loyal to the president No senate confirmations Harry Hopkins, Henry Kissinger, John Sununu

37 Chief Executive: Access Hierarchical: the pyramid or Circular: wheel-and-spokes Try to be original Detail manager vs. delegator Ad hoc approach First Lady No official position Has evolved

38 How is the White House difference from the Executive Office staff?

39 How is the White House difference from the Executive Office staff? What is the difference between a hierarchical organization and a wheel-and-spokes system of White House management?

40 How is the White House difference from the Executive Office staff? What is the difference between a hierarchical organization and a wheel-and-spokes system of White House management? What is the cabinet and what does it do?

41 How is the White House difference from the Executive Office staff? What is the difference between a hierarchical organization and a wheel-and-spokes system of White House management? What is the cabinet and what does it do? Identify four formal powers of the presidents?

42 How is the White House difference from the Executive Office staff? What is the difference between a hierarchical organization and a wheel-and-spokes system of White House management? What is the cabinet and what does it do? Identify four formal powers of the presidents? What is the process for the president to be impeached?

43 How is the White House difference from the Executive Office staff? What is the difference between a hierarchical organization and a wheel-and-spokes system of White House management? What is the cabinet and what does it do? Identify four formal powers of the presidents? What is the process for the president to be impeached? What is the 22 nd Amendment?

44 How is the White House difference from the Executive Office staff? What is the difference between a hierarchical organization and a wheel-and-spokes system of White House management? What is the cabinet and what does it do? Identify four formal powers of the presidents? What is the process for the president to be impeached? What is the 22 nd Amendment? What is the 25 th Amendment?

46 Chief Legislator Phrase is not in the Constitution. Phrase invented to emphasize president s importance in the legislative process. Constitutional Powers Initiate Policy from time to time Veto legislation State of the Union address

47 Chief Legislator Presidential Options 1. Sign a bill into law 2. Veto 3. Pocket veto

48 Chief Legislator Veto: the president can send a bill back to Congress with his reasons for rejecting it. It may be overridden with 2/3 support of both Houses.

49 The Veto Congress usually cannot override a vote Presidents often use the threat of a veto to force Congress to modify legislation A vetoed bill is often revised and then passed in another form Requires 2/3 vote in each chamber

50 Chief Legislator Vetoes are most used to prevent legislation.

51 Chief Legislator Veto: the president can send a bill back to Congress with his reasons for rejecting it. It may be overridden with 2/3 support of both Houses. Pocket Veto: a president can let a bill die by not signing it when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill.

52 Chief Legislator Veto: the president can send a bill back to Congress with his reasons for rejecting it. It may be overridden with 2/3 support of both Houses. Pocket Veto: a president can let a bill die by not signing it when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill. Line Item Veto: ability to veto parts of a bill--some state governors have it, but not the president

53 Chief Legislator: Legislative Skills Bargaining, personal appeals, consulting with Congress, setting priorities, honeymoon period, structuring votes Bargaining: trading support for specific benefits Occurs less often than thought Does not have to bargain with every member of Congress

54 Chief Legislator: Legislative Skills Strategic moves Exploit the honeymoon period Set priorities Set the agenda for Congress Allows for effective lobbying of Congress Reagan was successful Bush #41 was not Clinton was not Bush #43 was successful

55 Chief Legislator: Legislative Skills Presidential legislative skills must compete with Party, ideology, personal views and commitments, constituency interests etc Presidents with legislative backgrounds no more successful than those without

56 How effective are presidential vetoes?

57 How effective are presidential vetoes? What three options does a president have after Congress passes a bill?

58 How effective are presidential vetoes? What three options does a president have after Congress passes a bill? What is the difference between the following: Veto Pocket veto Line-item veto

60 The President and National Security Defense and Foreign Policy Occupies much of the president s time Chief Diplomat Commander in Chief

61 The President and National Security Formal Constitutional Powers: 1. CinC power to deploy troops 2. Appoints ambassadors subject to Senate approval 3. Negotiates treaties, subject to Senate ratification 4. Sole power to recognize (or not) nations. 5. Receive ambassadors and other public ministers

62 The President and National Security Informal Powers: 1. Negotiate executive agreements 2. Meet with world leaders 3. Manage international crisis 4. Access to secret/confidential information

63 President as Chief Diplomat Derived from Constitutional powers Congress normally defers to the president in foreign affairs Extends and terminate diplomatic relations Sole power to negotiate treaties Senate can ratify or reject with 2/3 vote Presidents rely more on executive agreements than formal treaties

64 President as Chief Diplomat Executive Agreements Pact between president and head of a foreign state Do not need Senate approval Not part of U.S. law Not binding on future presidents Examples include the Vietnam peace agreement, and SALT I.

65 President as CinC Constitution specifically gives the president this power Constitution specifically grants Congress the power to declare war. Great controversy between the executive and legislative branches

66 The Problem President Commander in chief of the Army and Navy...when called into actual Service of the United States; Congress Declare war raise and support armies provide and maintain a navy make rules for the government and regulation of land and naval forces

67 Undeclared wars Clinton Haiti Bosnia Somalia Kenya Yugoslavia Iraq Afghanistan Sudan Bush Iraq Afghanistan Somalia Columbia Pakistan Syria Djibouti Ethiopia

68 Solution: War Powers Resolution (1973) Intended to limit the president s ability to use military Requirements 1. President must consult with Congress, whenever possible, before using military force 2. Mandates withdrawal of forces after 60 days unless Congress declares war or grant extension 3. Congress can pass a concurrent resolution (which cannot be vetoed) ending US participation.

69 The Solution

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71 War Powers Resolution (1973) Every president considers it unconstitutional Legislative veto??? -- Violation of the doctrine of separation of powers Presidents mostly ignore the law Congress has difficulty challenging presidents Largely political, not legal issue

72 President as Crisis Manager Sudden, unpredictable, potentially dangerous event Mostly in foreign policy More today than in the past Rapid action, secrecy, constant management, consistent judgment and expert advice. Presidents still have to work with Congress for support and funding of foreign policies.

73 The President, Congress and National Security Founders divided the powers Supply and command President has a more prominent role Centralized leadership Secrecy Initiate policy Two presidencies domestic policy and national security policy

74 How is an executive agreement different than a treaty? Identify three provisions of the War Powers Act. How effective has the War Powers Act been? Is the term Imperial Presidency a criticism? Why or why not?

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76 President s Judicial Powers Granting Reprieves and Pardons Constitutional Powers A reprieve is a postponement of the execution of a sentence A pardon is a legal forgiveness of a crime

77 President s Judicial Powers Appointing Supreme Court Justices and federal judges Nominations must be confirmed by the Senate Presidents use this power to select judges and justices with compatible philosophies.

79 Leadership Three most useful resources: 1. Public Support 2. Party Leadership 3. Legislative Skills

80 Leadership Power of Persuasion Three constituencies 1. Public Use the polls 2. Political Pundits (media) 3. Party 100 days (the honeymoon) Be a good democrat (or republican)

81 Leadership: The Public Public support is crucial to presidential success.

82 Leadership: The Public 1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way [name of the President] is handling his job as president? Over 50 years Gallup

83 Data shows Honeymoon period Positive media coverage Foreign policy success Rally events Strong economic growth Low unemployment Increase approval ratings Scandals Gap between expectations and performance Foreign events that go badly over a period of time Weak economic growth High unemployment Decrease approval ratings

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86 Leadership: The Public Political resource Operates in the background, sets limits Some will always support the president, some never will Congress more in step with their constituencies Going Public Gives the president leverage, not command

87 Leadership: The Public Mandate: the people have spoken Rarely exists, often claimed Powerful symbol-legitimacy and credibility

88 Leadership: The Public Going Public Presidential appearances Head of State Approval ratings Correlation b/w public approval and presidential influence Frequently, POTUS does not have widespread support

89 Leadership: The Public Mobilizing the Public The president may attempt to motivate the public to contact Congress. A difficult task, given inattentive and apathetic public May backfire: a lack of response speaks loudly

90 Leadership: The Public Bully pulpit Presidents attempt to gain public support through televised messages, with little success The Public may not be receptive to the president s message or misperceive it all together. Media advisers, skilled communicators FDR, JFK, Reagan, Clinton, Obama

91 Leadership: The Public Political party identification Honeymoon President s efforts and positions NOT personality or pocketbook Rally events: events involving international relations directly involving the US that are specific, dramatic and sharply focused.

92 Leadership: The Media Plays a key role in how the public perceives the president. Generally more successful than members of Congress in using the media to set the agenda

93 Leadership: The Media Following factors give the president an advantage over Congress in gaining media attention: 1. Represents the entire nation 2. Leader of the free world 3. More powerful than any individual member of Congress 4. Single voice vs. 535 members of Congress

94 Leadership: The Media Media interpret and analyze intermediary Media needs stories, president wants to get a message out Press Secretary Press Conferences Body Watch No systemic bias Tends to emphasize the negative Robert Gibbs

95 Leadership: Chief of the Party The Bonds of Party Being in the president s party creates a psychological bond between legislators and presidents, increasing agreement. Personal loyalties Reelection General ideological agreement Distrust of the opposition party

96 Leadership: Chief of the Party Slippage in Party Support Presidents cannot always count on party support, especially on controversial issues. 2/3rds of the time Presidents forced to be active in party leadership Primary obstacle lack of consensus Diverse constituencies

97 Leadership: Chief of the Party Leading the party Presidents can offer party candidates support and punishment by withholding favors. Presidential coattails occur when voters cast their ballots for congressional candidates of the president s party because they support the president. Races are rarely won in this way.

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99 Understanding the American Presidency The Presidency and Democracy Concerns over the president having too much power often tied to policy concerns Others argue there are too many checks and balances on the president The Presidency and the Scope of Government Some presidents have increased the functions of government.

100 Summary Americans expect a lot from presidents. Presidents work as part of an organization. Presidential leadership of Congress is central but difficult Presidential roles and responsibilities, even national security, tied to Madisonian system of checks and balances

101 Is the term Imperial Presidency a criticism? Why or why not?

102 Is the term Imperial Presidency a criticism? Why or why not? How has the power of the presidency grown since the country began?

103 Is the term Imperial Presidency a criticism? Why or why not? How has the power of the presidency grown since the country began? What events cause presidential approval ratings to increase? Decrease?

104 Is the term Imperial Presidency a criticism? Why or why not? How has the power of the presidency grown since the country began? What events cause presidential approval ratings to increase? Decrease? What is meant by presidential coattails and how effective are they?

105 Describe what is meant by the term chief legislator.

106 Describe what is meant by the term chief legislator. To what extent does the office of the presidency enlarge the scope of government? Why or why not? Provide examples.

107 Describe what is meant by the term chief legislator. To what extent does the office of the presidency enlarge the scope of government? Why or why not? Provide examples. Assess how public support and party support affects the president s relationship with Congress.

108 Describe what is meant by the term chief legislator. To what extent does the office of the presidency enlarge the scope of government? Why or why not? Provide examples. Assess how public support and party support affects the president s relationship with Congress.

109 Describe what is meant by the term chief legislator. To what extent does the office of the presidency enlarge the scope of government? Why or why not? Provide examples. Assess how public support and party support affects the president s relationship with Congress. This is the unit that links the president s key foreign and military policy advisors.

110 What is the role and importance of the OMB?

111 What is the role and importance of the OMB? This limits the president to two terms.

112 What is the role and importance of the OMB? This limits the president to two terms. Describe and explain the significance of the Watergate scandal.

113 What is the role and importance of the OMB? This limits the president to two terms. Describe and explain the significance of the Watergate scandal. This determines who steps into the presidency if the office is vacated.

114 What is the role and importance of the OMB? This limits the president to two terms. Describe and explain the significance of the Watergate scandal. This determines who steps into the presidency if the office is vacated. In the mid-term elections the party of the president tends to do this.