American Government
and Organization
PS1301
Wednesday, 15 October
Review
Sources of Presidential Power


Constitutional powers
Political powers (ie. Presidential popularity)
Partisan Basis of Support
Presidential influence on congressional
elections is limited
Divided vs. Unified Government
National Politics in
Congressional Elections
In general, congressional candidates are
advantaged when their presidential
candidate wins.
Today, presidents may have shorter
coattails (metaphor for the capacity of a
successful presidential candidate to pull the
party's other candidates into office) than
they did in the nineteenth century, but they
are still significant.
Gains and Losses in Congress
Presidential Election Years
Gains and Losses in Congress
Midterm Elections
Midterm Losses
National Politics in
Congressional Elections
The president's party almost always loses congressional
seats.
Size of its losses depends in part on the performance of
the national economy and the president.
Losses are fewer if the economy is strong and the
president is popular.
Although the Democrats lost seats in 1994, they actually
gained seats -- against many predictions -- in 1998.
Clinton's public approval rating was 20 points higher and
the economy was booming in 1998.
Republicans gained seats in 2002 election, took control
of Senate
Presidential-Congressional
Relations
If presidents do not have much influence
on who is elected to congress how can
they influence members of congress?
Presidential Success in Congress
Electoral Cycle
How often the president won on roll call votes on which he took a clear position.
Unified versus Divided Control
of Government
When presidents find their party in majority
control of the House and Senate, they have
excellent prospects for passing their legislative
agenda.
Examples: New Deal and Great Society.
However, during divided government (when
the president’s opposition party controls either or
both legislative chambers), the president
confronts majorities with different preferences.
Divided Control of Government
is More Common
During the past half century, unified party control
has occurred less frequently than divided
government.
How do presidents deal with this situation?




pull decisions into the White House
carefully screen appointees to federal agencies
utilize the veto
go public (engaging in intensive public relations to
promote their policies to voters).
How Popularity Can Influence a
President’s Own Party Members
Influence on President’s own party members



Policy agreement
Successful president helps party
Small favors (ie. fundraisers, photo op)
Lack of Influence



No sanctions
Little personal contact between president and rank
and file members
Different constituencies
How Popularity Can Influence the
Opposition
Opposition party can substantially
increase support (1/3rd of total support)
Who gets credit?
Presidents may behave differently (less
willing to compromise?)
Popularity—Going public
Going Public
Presidents and members of Congress
share constituencies – to some extent
If the president can win the public’s
backing for himself and his policies,
opponents in Congress may shrink from a
fight because they do not want to offend
voters.
How can a president “go public”?
Going Public
Today, presidents spend a great deal of
their time, energy, and staff taking their
message to the American people.



Going on prime-time television.
Mass communication has expanded and
eroded the president’s command of the air
waves. How?
Public speeches, travel.
Success over periods of divided and
unified government
The President As Legislator:
The Veto
Perhaps the president’s most formidable tool in
dealing with Congress is the veto.
Constitution defines the veto precisely.
Used relatively rarely – most used by Gerald
Ford. In the past 50 years, the average is fewer
than 10 vetoes a year.
The veto allows the president to block
congressional action, but does not allow the
president to substitute his own policy
preferences.
Quiz:
1. The ability of a successful presidential
candidate to pull the party's other candidates into
office is known by the common metaphor
2. Which party has the majority of seats in the
House?