Presidential Leadership
Presidential Powers
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Need for a strong Executive
◦ The founders recognized the need for a strong
executive.
◦ A strong executive was needed to overcome the
weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
◦ Also needed to hold the legislative branch in check.
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Presidential Powers in Article II
◦ Grants the president broad but vaguely described
powers.
◦ He heads the executive branch, is commander in chief,
conducts foreign policy, and has judicial powers.
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Personal Exercise of Power
◦ Presidents have added to their powers by their
actions:
 Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana territories
despite the Constitution not granting that right to the
President.
 Theodore Roosevelt declared his intent to do anything
the needs of the nation required.
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Immediate Needs of the Nation
◦ During national crises, some presidents greatly
expanded the powers of the presidency.
 Abraham Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus
and jailed opponents of the Union without trials.
 Franklin Roosevelt used the presidency to expand the
role of the federal government.
 George W. Bush was given sweeping new authority
from Congress to fight terrorism.
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Mandate of the People
◦ Modern presidents claim their ideas and policies
represent a mandate from the people, and they use
all forms of mass media to build support for their
ideas
◦ Reagan was called the “Great Communicator” for his
ability to deliver his message directly to the people
through television
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Limitation by Congress
◦ The Constitution gives Congress the power to limit
presidential authority by overriding a veto or impeaching
and removing the president from office for clear abuse
of power.
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Limitation by the Federal Courts
◦ Federal courts also limit the president’s power.
 Marbury v. Madison established the Supreme Court’s right to
review legislative action.
 Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company v. Sawyer ruled that
there is no statute which authorized the president to take
control of a private business.
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Limitation by Bureaucracy
◦ The federal bureaucracy sometimes limits presidential
power by obstructing programs or failing to carry them
out properly.
◦ This happens often when key bureaucrats work closely
with congressional leaders rather than the president.
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Limitation by Public Opinion
◦ Public opinion can limit the president’s actions.
◦ Clinton’s health care program was derailed before it
could be made into law because the people spoke out
against it.
Roles of the President
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Represents the nation at ceremonial
functions.
◦ Serves as host to visiting kings, queens, and heads
of government.
◦ Throws out the first pitch at MLB games.
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The president is considered more then a
politician, but rather a symbol of the entire
United States.
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Heads the 2 million person executive branch.
Influences how laws are executed through
executive orders, presidential appointments,
removal of appointed officials, and
impoundment.
◦ Executive Order: a rule issued by the president that
has the force of law.
◦ Impoundment: the president’s refusal to spend
money Congress has voted to fund a program
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Grants pardons, reprieves, or amnesty
◦ Reprieve: grants a postponement of legal
punishment
◦ Pardon: a release from legal punishment
◦ Amnesty: a group pardon to people for an offense
against the government
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Legislative Programs
◦ The president proposes legislation to Congress,
usually in the State of the Union Address.
◦ The president must work harder for congressional
support when Congress is controlled by the
opposition party.
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Tools of Presidential Lawmaking
◦ The president may use political favors to gain
congressional support
◦ The president has the threat of the veto to influence
Congress.
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The president has gained important economic
powers since the New Deal.
Promotes high employment, production, and
purchasing power.
Required to prepare the federal budget each
year.
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The president helps raise party funds and
plan campaign strategies.
The president uses political patronage to
appoint party members to government jobs.
◦ Patronage: the practice of granting favors to reward
party loyalty
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The president directs foreign policy and
overseas foreign affairs information agencies.
The Power to make Treaties
◦ With Senate approval, presidents can make treaties,
or formal agreements with foreign governments.
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The Power to make Executive Agreements
◦ The president can make pacts with heads of foreign
government.
◦ Theses agreements have the same legal status as
treaties but do not require Senate approval.
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Recognition of Foreign Governments
◦ The president determines whether the government
will acknowledge the legal existence of another
government.
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The president shares, with Congress, the
power to wage war.
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The president makes key military policy
decisions.
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The president supports war efforts on the
home front during wars.
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The president may use the armed forces to
end disorders or give aid in natural disasters.
Styles of Leadership
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Modern presidents have provided strong
leadership for the nation, even though the
Founders expected Congress to lead the
nation.
Presidents provide leadership in introducing
bold new ideas as well as responding to
crises at home and abroad.
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Presidents must know and understand the
people of the United States.
Presidents must be able to communicate
effectively and to explain their policies clearly
in order to inspire public support.
Presidents must know when the time is right
to introduce new policies or make key
decisions.
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Successful presidents must:
1. be flexible and open to new ideas;
2. be able to compromise;
3. have political courage and be willing to
go against public opinion in matters they
believe are vital to the nation’s interests.
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The special treatment given to modern
presidents risks isolating them from
information and advice they should have to
carry out their duties effectively.
Presidents may discourage staffers from
disagreeing with them or giving them
unpleasant advice.
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Access to the president often forces top
staffers and advisers to flatter the president
and provide only good news and favorable
opinions.
Top staffers control access to the president.
Dealing with White House staff requires much
of the president’s time and makes it more
difficult to keep in touch with the public.
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To keep White House discussions and advice
secret, presidents invoke executive privilege to
avoid giving such information to Congress or the
courts.
Modern presidents have claimed that executive
privilege also protects their communications with
other members of the executive branch.
The Supreme Court has ruled that executive
privilege is constitutionally based.