CHAPTER 7
The Presidency
Learning Objectives
 Identify the past traits of presidents; assess
the requirements for holding the position
 Describe the process by which presidents
may be impeached and removed from office;
know the order of presidential succession
 Trace the evolution of the presidency from
“chief clerk” in the late 18th and 19th centuries
to eventual political dominance
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Learning Objectives
 Explain how the modern presidency has
persevered in the recent era of divisiveness
 Define the formal powers vested in the
president under Article II of the Constitution
 Explain how presidents use the veto,
appointment and removal, and the pardon
 Define the powers and limits of the president
as commander in chief
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Learning Objectives
 Discuss the implied powers of the presidency
not spelled out in the Constitution, including
executive orders and agreements
 Describe the other individuals and offices in
the executive branch that contribute to the
modern presidency
 Assess how the power of the presidency is
enhanced by communications with the public,
the Congress, and the media
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Where Do Presidents Come From?
Presidential Comings and Goings
 Prerequisites
 “Natural born” citizen
 At least 35 years of age
 Resident in the U.S. for at least 14 years
 All U.S. presidents have been
 White (except Obama) and male
 42 to 77 years of age
 Christians
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Where Do Presidents Come From?
Presidential Comings and Goings
 Washington established a two-term precedent
 Unchallenged until FDR’s election to 4 terms
 Twenty-second Amendment
 Restricts the presidency to two and a half terms
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Where Do Presidents Come From?
Presidential Comings and Goings
 Impeachment
 Majority vote of the House
 Conviction by two-thirds of the Senate
 “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and
Misdemeanors”
 Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton
 Impeached but not convicted or removed
 Richard Nixon
 Resigned
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The Evolution of the
American Presidency
 Chief executive powerful
enough to respond
quickly
 Limited by lack of
lawmaking power
 Need for congressional
approval
 Evolved through practice,
tradition, and personal
energy of presidents
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The Evolution of the
American Presidency
 President as “Chief Clerk” 1789-1836
 Presidents after Washington acted as “clerks”
 Served Congress’s bidding
 Performed administrative duties
 Andrew Jackson remade office into a tremendous
political power
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The Evolution of the
American Presidency
 Weakened Presidency in Wilderness Years
 Pre-Civil War presidents after Jackson were weak
 President as chief clerk emerged again
 James K. Polk
 Only effective president during this period
 Presided over significant westward expansion
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The Evolution of the
American Presidency
 Abraham Lincoln
 Confronted with state secessions and the Civil War
 Took bold, unprecedented acts
 Reinterpreted Article II
 After Lincoln’s assassination, Congress
reasserted control
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The Evolution of the
American Presidency
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The Evolution of the
American Presidency
 Birth of Modern Presidency and Its Rise to
Dominance
 Theodore Roosevelt
 Ushered in a new era of presidential authority
 Gambled political capital on bold assertions of power
 First president to travel to foreign lands
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The Evolution of the
American Presidency
 Franklin Delano Roosevelt
 Transformed presidency into an institution
 New Deal policies
 Dominant in national and world affairs
 Imperial presidency took root
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The Evolution of the
American Presidency
 Imperial Presidency Comes Under Attack
 Presidential authority greatest in national security
 Waging the Cold War consumed presidential energy
 Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy focused on
containing communist threat
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The Evolution of the
American Presidency
 Lyndon Johnson
 Great Society
 Presidents after Johnson came under attack
 Richard Nixon
 Jimmy Carter
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The Evolution of the
American Presidency
 Redefining the Presidency in Divisiveness
 Ronald Reagan
 Return of the chief executive as an unmatched force
 Legislative success despite a Democratic House
 George H. W. Bush
 Tax legislation
 Iraq war
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The Evolution of the
American Presidency
 Redefining the Presidency in Divisiveness
 Bill Clinton
 Co-opted Republican programs
 George W. Bush
 War on Terror
 Obama
 Democratic majorities in Congress
 Little Republican support
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Express Powers and
Responsibilities of the President
 Constitution lists four specific presidential
powers (expressed)
 Commander-in-chief
 Grant reprieves and pardons
 Treaties (subject to Senate approval)
 Certain appointments (subject to Senate approval)
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Express Powers and
Responsibilities of the President
 Head of State
 Formal duties and obligations on behalf of the U.S.
 “State dinners”
 Recognition of ambassadors and foreign
governments
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Express Powers and
Responsibilities of the President
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Express Powers and
Responsibilities of the President
 Chief Executive and Head of Government
 Sole responsibility to execute U.S. laws
 Powers of appointment and removal
 Reprieve
 Pardon
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Express Powers and
Responsibilities of the President
 Chief Diplomat
 Power to negotiate and execute treaties
 Chief Legislator
 Involved in nearly every stage of federal lawmaking
 State of the Union Address
 White House Office of Legislative Affairs
 Vetoes
 Signing statement
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Signing Statements, from
Washington through Obama
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Express Powers and
Responsibilities of the President
 Commander in Chief
 President is principal military leader
 Formulates/directs strategy and policy
 Congress must “declare war”
 War Powers Resolution limits presidential power
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Vetoes Issued by Modern Presidents
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Implied Powers and
Responsibilities of the President
 Crisis Manager
 Respond quickly and effectively to crises
 Party Leader
 Decisions reflect on the party as a whole
 Executive Order
 Rule or regulation that has the force of law
 Executive Agreement
 Pact, written or oral, with a foreign government
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Presidential Resources
 Vice President
 Key adviser and executive branch official
 The Cabinet
 Provide input on issues related to their departments
 Executive Office and White House Staff
 Management and administration of executive
branch departments
 The First Lady
 Social and political obligations
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Important Presidential
Relationships
 President and the Public
 Modern presidents engage the public for support
 Support increases chances for legislation to pass
 Drops in public support may stop a program
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Important Presidential
Relationships
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Important Presidential
Relationships
 President and Congress
 Presidents have a large role in legislative process
 Presidential Congressional tools
 Campaigning for Congressional candidates
 Personal contacts with members
 Office of Congressional Relations
 Rewards
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Important Presidential
Relationships
 President and the Media
 Most effective channel to communicate with
the public
 White House Press Secretary
 Holds most of the responsibility
 White House Director of Communications
 Consistent and effective message
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