THE PRESIDENCY
Chief Executive of the United States
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People have great expectations for presidents to be powerful like
Washington, Lincoln, FDR, and JFK
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But, they’re skeptical of concentrated power…
A COMPLICATED POSITION
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Head of State: Ceremonial Duties
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Head of Government: Policymaking Authority
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United States: President serves both purposes
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Great Britain: Queen vs. Prime Minister
HEADS OF STATE & GOVERNMENT
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Formal Requirements
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35 years old
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Resident of US for past 14 years
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Natural born citizen
Informal “Requirements”
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White (Except Obama)
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Male
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Protestant (except Kennedy)
All manner of professions, but mostly political ones
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Former state governors
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Congressmen
REQUIREMENTS OF PRESIDENTS
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Elected to office
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Exploratory Committee  Announce Candidacy  Win Primary  Win General Election
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Popular Vote
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Electoral College
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Almost all states use winner-take-all system
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If no candidate wins a majority (270 votes) the House of Representatives would decide the
election
12th Amendment – President & VP elected as a ‘ticket’
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Serve 4-year term
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22nd amendment limited number of terms to two (1951)
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Most presidents have been elected into office
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Can also acquire office as VP if Pres. dies or is removed
ELECTIONS & TERMS
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25th Amendment (1967)
defined presidential
succession & disability
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VP serves as acting
president if president is
disabled, as determined
by the VP & majority of
Cabinet or 2/3 vote fo
Congress
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New VP must be
confirmed by majority
vote of both houses
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VP takes office if
President dies, resigns, or
is convicted in an
impeachment
SUCCESSION
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Indictment - Investigated by the
House of Representatives (majority)
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Conviction - Tried by the Senate (2/3 vote)
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Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides
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Only 2 in history & neither convicted
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Andrew Johnson
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Bill Clinton
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(Nixon just resigned)
IMPEACHMENT
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National Security
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Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces
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Standing military + nuclear arsenal
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Can deploy troops without congressional consent
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Makes treaties with other nations to be ratified by the Senate
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Sign executive agreements in routine matters with other countries
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Negotiate peace between other countries
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Leads US & Allies in defense & economic issues
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Shared War Powers w/congress
Legislative Powers
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Veto power
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State of the Union Address
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Administrative Nominations
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Judicial Nominations
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Grant Pardons
CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS
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Inherent Powers – restrict power of Congress & Courts
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Executive Order – presidential order that has force of law & does
not require congressional approval
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Executive Agreement – presidential agreement with another
country that does not require Senate approval
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Similar to treaties
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Technically end when president leaves office…
INFORMAL POWERS
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Congressional Delegation of Power
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Delegated Powers: Congress gives executive branch more power to
address new problems
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Examples: FDR & New Deal; PATRIOT Act; NSA’s wiretapping program
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Congress can enact legislation to reassert its authority
Perspectives
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1950s & ‘6os favored powerful president
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1970s – power checked & distrusted by the public
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Why???
EXPANSION OF POWER
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President
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Vice President
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Few constitutional duties
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Recent VPs have been given important jobs by presidents
Cabinet
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Presidential advisors
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Not explicitly listed in Constitution
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Cabinet Secretaries represent federal departments
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Secretaries confirmed by the Senate
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
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Several policymaking & advisory bodies
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3 principle groups
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NSC – National Security council
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Coordinate foreign policy & military advisors
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President, VP, Secreatries fo State & Defense, National Security Advisor
CEA – Council of Economic Advisers
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3-member body to advise on economic policy
OMB – Office of management & Budget
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B- Prepares annual budget to send to Congress
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M – oversight of bureaucracy
EXECUTIVE OFFICE
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White House Office
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White House Staff are the chief aides & staff of president
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Chosen on basis of loyalty to the president
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Need not be confirmed
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Example: National Security Advisor
First Lady
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No official government position
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Many get involved politically
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Recently focus on single issue
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Example: Michelle Obama’s fight for nutritious school lunches
OTHER INFLUENCES
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Party Leadership
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Psychological bond between legislators & president with regard to party
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Controversial issues weaken support
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Use favors as leverage
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Coattail effect – minor influence
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Congressional bills must be approved by the President before becoming law
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Veto Power
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Veto: send a bill back to Congress with reasons for rejecting it
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Can be overridden by a 2/3 vote in both houses
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Pocket Veto: let a bill die by not signing it in 10 days when Congress is adjourned
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Line Item Veto: ability to veto parts of a bill (usually $$)
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Governors may have this
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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
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Not provided for in the Constitution
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GWB increased use
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Obama also increasing use
INTERACTION W/CONGRESS
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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.“
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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
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Mandates
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Perception that voters strongly support president’s leadership &
policies
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Infrequent, but presidents may claim a mandate anyway
Legislative Skills
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Bargaining, making appeals, consulting with Congress, setting
priorities in State of the Union address
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Use the ‘honeymoon period’ wisely
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Key agenda builder
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Work with Congress for support & funding of foreign policies
CONGRESS CONTINUED
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Public support is perhaps greatest source of influence a president
has
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Stage appearances to gain attention
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Ceremonial functions = favorable press coverage
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Presidential Approval
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Product of many factors: war, economy, ‘honeymoon period’
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Changes highlight good/bad decisions
Media Contact
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Press Secretary is main contact person of White House
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Often more interested in the person, not the policies
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Coverage has become more negative
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Televised messages have low success in gaining support
PUBLIC PRESIDENCY
APPROVAL RATINGS
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Americans expect a lot from presidents
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Presidents work as part of an organization of the executive
branch and federal government
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Presidential leadership of Congress is central but difficult
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Presidential roles and responsibilities are tied to the Madisonian
system of checks & balances
SUMMARY